SHILLONG, Feb 10: At least six road projects in Meghalaya will be funded by the Centre.
These include Shillong – Western bypass (38 km) at Rs 2205 crore, Dainadubi – Darugre – Williamnagar (80 km) at Rs 4350 crore, Mawlyngkhung – Mawrynkneng (Shillong Eastern bypass), Mawryngkneng – West Jaintia Hills & Jowai bypass (75 km) at Rs 4100 crore, Paikan – Tura (56 km) at Rs 1827 crore, Phulbari – Tura (63 km) at Rs 740 crore and Dudhnoi – Rongjeng – Baghmara – Dalu (150 km) at Rs 2400 crore.
This was informed before the Meghalaya High Court while hearing a PIL on Friday.
The DPR for Shillong-Western bypass is being prepared and the DPR for Shillong Eastern bypass is under review and the DPR for the other four road projects are under progress.
The Court said it is evident that the key and more strategic roads are being constructed directly under the aegis of the Union.
It said that this should allow more expenditure by the State on the State’s roads and the highways other than those that are being maintained or constructed by the NHAI or its associate NHIDCL.
“It is hoped that sufficient progress is made in the highways to be funded by the Union. The status pertaining to the construction, maintenance and enhanced facilities should be indicated when the matter appears next six weeks hence,” the Court said while directing that a firm stand on the proposed projects should be indicated on the returnable date.
The PIL filed by Arnold G. Momin was for the construction of a road between Chiminmingre and Kakwa Duragre.
The Chief Engineer of PWD (Roads) has recently forwarded a proposal for the construction, including metaling and blacktopping, of a road from Jakopgre to Kakwa Duragre of estimated length of 7.620 km.
The State said that the matter is under consideration and it is possible that administrative approval may be accorded expeditiously if the proposal is found to be in order.
If the proposal comes through – and there is no reason why it should not unless the cost estimates are revised – the petitioner’s grievance would have been sufficiently addressed and the needs of the local people around the stretch would be met.
The petitioner said that there is already a road in place between Chiminmingre and Jakopgre. Once Jakopgre is connected to Kakwa Duragre, there will be complete access between Chiminmingre and Kakwa Duragre.
“Let the matter appear six weeks hence to ascertain whether the administrative approval for construction of the road between Jakopgre to Kakwa Duragre has been granted and the steps, if any, taken for the project to get underway,” the Court said.
It has also directed that the State should not neglect to maintain the previously constructed stretch of road between Chiminmingre and Jakopgre.
The next hearing will be held on March 24.
