Shillong: The ongoing work on the Shillong-Dawki road project is facing significant delays as a result of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited’s (NHIDCL) struggle to secure the necessary clearance from Defence authorities.
An NHIDCL representative explained that while bitumen laying is progressing smoothly on approximately 8 kms of the road under the first project package, the work is hindered in areas controlled by the Army.
The first phase of the Shillong-Dawki road project, which includes a vital four-lane stretch from Rilbong to Upper Shillong, passes through sensitive Defence zones, complicating coordination efforts.
The main obstacle to progress is the delay in obtaining permission from the Army to construct a boundary wall, which is crucial for the project’s completion.
One of the key components of the plan is to build a vehicle underpass connecting the 101 HQ Area and the 17 TA JAT camp, with the road running above the underpass.
However, construction is stalled because the Army has yet to approve the demolition of an existing wall, despite a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2020 between NHIDCL and the Army.
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The NHIDCL official highlighted the issue: “The construction of the main road requires a service road for traffic movement. Our plan was to first build an internal wall, followed by the demolition of the existing wall. However, every 10-15 days, the Army halts our work,” the official stated.
The delay in obtaining clearance is severely affecting the project timeline, hindering the overall development of this crucial infrastructure.
