Shillong, Oct 4: Indian Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday laid the foundation stone for the improvement cum widening to 2-lane with paved shoulder and 4-lane of the 64.21-km stretch of the NH 40 between Shillong and Dawki, including construction of the Dawki bridge.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice President Naidu said connectivity through road is the lifeline of modern economy. He also stressed on transparency and accountability in the execution of the road project. “While people should know materials used for the road project , those who execute the project should be made accountable,” he said.

Hon’ble Vice President of India Sh. @MVenkaiahNaidu Ji laid foundation for the improvement & widening of the Shillong to Dawki road. Glad to receive his blessings on the beginning of this important project. @PMOIndia @VPSecretariat pic.twitter.com/vDioXdHlF0

— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) October 4, 2021

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said this is a critically important project that will benefit the State’s economy, the tourism sector, the export sector, reduce the commute time between Shillong and the surrounding areas and increase safety of travelers.Importance of Shillong-Dawki road

This road is the main road connecting the villages of East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, and Southwest Khasi Hills District with the State capital of Shillong. The total project cost is Rs. 1606 crore and the likely date of completion is December 2022.

The expansion of the road will ease Meghalaya’s  international border trade, especially East Khasi Hills, with Bangladesh  in a significant way through the Dawki Integrated Check Post which is connected to Tamabil on Bangladesh side.

The project is being jointly funded by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) along with Meghalaya government.

Good roads very important to Meghalaya

Meghalaya being a land locked and hilly state, Chief Minister Sangma stressed that “importance of road transport and road connectivity is paramount for overall growth of the economy”.

However, the road density in the State stands at 48 KM per 100 Sq KM of area and is much lower than the national average of 180 KM. Another challenge is the maintenance of constructed roads given the heavy rainfall and terrain.

Given the importance of roads to the State, and despite the challenges, Sangma said the State Government is giving utmost importance to the construction and maintenance of the road network in the State including National Highways, State Roads, Major District Roads and Rural roads to see that farmers are able to reach their produce to the markets, women get access to health care and children and youth are able to access education.

Road projects and schemes in State

Several NH projects being taken up include the Ranikor- Maheshkhola- Baghmara Road and the Tura-Dalu road. Another 470 kms of roads are at a DPR stage to be taken up in the coming months and years.

In addition to National Highways, the State is also being supported by the Government of India under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadhak Yojana (PMGSY) for the construction and upgradation of rural roads.

“We have completed the road length of 2728 Kms connecting 494 habitations involving 648 road works and 38 long span bridges. We have a target of 1845 Kms of road network covering 220 Habitations during year 2021-22. I would like to assure the Government of India that the State will complete all roads by the end of this financial year,” said Sangma.

Another major scheme under which the State is availing central funding is the Central Road Fund scheme.