People advised against travel to Dawki via Pynursla owing to risk of landslides

SHILLONG, July 11: Tourists and commuters have been advised to avoid travelling to Dawki via Pynursla due to the high risk of landslides along the Shillong-Dawki road in Meghalaya, which is currently under construction, officials said on Friday.
Dawki, located along the India-Bangladesh border, is one of Meghalaya’s most popular tourist destinations, known for the crystal-clear waters of the Umngot River.
Thousands of tourists visit the area annually for boat rides, kayaking, cliff jumping, and to witness the picturesque views of the river and surrounding hills.
The Additional Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills district in charge of Pynursla Civil Sub-Division said that the road stretch between Laitlyngkot and Lyngkyrdem and the overall Shillong-Dawki route remains highly vulnerable to landslides owing to incessant rainfall.
Authorities have urged the public to refrain from unnecessary travel along the route in the coming days as a precautionary measure.
The Shillong-Dawki road project, spanning around 85 km, is being implemented by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). The road, crucial for both tourism and cross-border trade with Bangladesh, is being upgraded at an estimated cost of over Rs 1,600 crore. It is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under an Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan agreement.
The project, launched in 2021, was initially scheduled for completion by 2024, but delays due to weather conditions, difficult terrain, and land acquisition issues have pushed the expected completion date further. (PTI)