Shillong, Nov 15: Over 40-50 land owners have expressed their unwillingness to accept the land compensation and part with their land for construction of the 95 kilometers Shillong-Dawki road project.

Taking cognizance of the matter, the state government has directed the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills to resolve the issue with the land owners before the end of November.

After reviewing the implementation of the project on Tuesday, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge PWD (Roads) Prestone Tynsong told reporters that there are altogether 40-50 landowners, who are still not willing to part with their land for construction of the Shillong-Dawki road.

“Some of them are not satisfied with the assessment, but again few of them are not at all willing to part with their land for construction of the road,” he said. “Accordingly, we have directed the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills to convince the land owners to accept the land compensation at the earliest possible so that the land can be handed over to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) for implementation of the project,” Tynsong informed.

Stating that the two packages of the project have already been retendered, the deputy CM said, “I hope by December, they will open the financial bid and immediately work order will be issued for starting the work.”

The road project is funded by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) at an estimated cost of Rs. 1187.5 crore. Including land acquisition the total project cost is estimated at Rs. 1377.5 crore.

Apart from the JICA funded Shillong-Dawki project, the deputy CM also reviewed the progress of the Nongstoin-Rambrai-Kyrshai road and the road from Ranikor – Maheshkhola up to Baghmara during the meeting held with officials from the PWD, forest, revenue, PHE and MeECL.

He said the meeting has discussed issues pertaining to matters with the forest, PHE and MeECL for shifting of utility and electricity poles.“So now we have already resolved that and by any means it should be completed before November ends meaning on or before November 30 will be able to resolve all these issues,” he added.

All Deputy Commissioners have also been asked to resolve issues relating to land owners not accepting land compensation for construction of roads in the other districts of the state.