Shillong: The Union Government has granted approval for the extension of the four-lane highway from Umiam to Shillong.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who also serves as the Public Works Department (PWD) minister, confirmed the approval after a review of the ongoing infrastructure projects.
He shared that the state will soon engage with experts and consultants to finalize the alignment of the extended road.
The upgraded route will bypass the Umiam Dam, ensuring smoother and uninterrupted travel.
Tynsong emphasised that this extension will drastically reduce travel time and greatly enhance connectivity between Umiam and Shillong, easing the current bottleneck.
However, he noted that the Centre has clarified that upgrading the Umiam-Jorabat stretch to a six-lane highway is not a priority at present.
The government’s primary focus is the expansion of the Guwahati-Nagaon highway in Assam into a six-lane road.
In addition to the four-lane extension, the government is also prioritizing other important infrastructure projects.
One of these is a high-speed corridor from Umiam to Ratacherra, which is estimated to cost Rs 25,000 crore.
This Greenfield project will circumvent existing villages, communities, and even the current Shillong Bypass, ensuring minimal disruption and quicker travel.
The Centre has emphasised the need for its timely completion.
Other notable road initiatives discussed in the meeting include the Shillong-Dawki Road, the Western Bypass, the Tura-Dalu Road, and the Dainadubi-Williamnagar Road projects.
Tynsong praised the progress on these projects but acknowledged that challenges in land acquisition remain a significant hurdle.
He assured that the state is addressing issues related to land disputes and claims systematically.
Addressing concerns over the Shillong Western Bypass project, including reports of middlemen asking for commissions from landowners, Tynsong reassured the public that landowners can directly negotiate with the government or through their authorised representatives.
He emphasised that all compensation payments have been thoroughly vetted, with no room for additional claims.
“The process is complete, and no further claims will be accepted,” he affirmed.
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Tynsong also highlighted that the government has successfully resolved long-standing issues with defense authorities, which had previously held up the construction of Package 1 of the Shillong-Dawki Road.
With all necessary clearances now in place, the project will proceed under the supervision of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited.
Concluding his statement, Tynsong reiterated the state’s commitment to completing major road projects on time.
He directed the PWD to expedite work on all pending projects and resolve outstanding issues swiftly, assuring that these upgrades will have a transformative impact on Meghalaya’s road infrastructure.
