Shillong, Jan 4: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has stated that complexities created by the former government have hindered the timely execution of the Rongjeng-Mangsang-Adokgre road project.
According to Sangma, the delay was primarily caused by the previous government’s application, which involved seeking approvals from two different schemes under the Ministry of DoNER.
The Rs 200 crore project was to be completed by 2020.
“The Ministry of DoNER found that the road was applied for in two parts under two different schemes of the same ministry, and subsequently one of the schemes was cancelled,” the Chief Minister said responding to a query from the public at CM Connect in Memilam village, North Garo Hills.
The Chief Minister announced the sanction for the construction of the road under the World Bank-assisted project, and assured that the process for initiating the work would commence soon.
The 44 km stretch of road is a lifeline for the entire population and impacts at least 50,000 people from the two constituencies of Kharkutta and Rongjeng.
He said the 22 km road from Rongjeng to Nengkram remains incomplete as the North East Council (NEC) withdrew from the project that caused a reduction in the funds.
Sangma said the road was sanctioned in 2017 for Rs 210 crores, funded by NLCPR and NEC. “By the time NEC withdrew, almost the entire road had already been dismantled to develop the new one,” he stated.
During the interaction, villagers raised concerns related to road connectivity, electricity, drinking water supply, school infrastructure, and agri-horticulture activities.
The programme was attended by Minister for PHE and Soil & Water Conservation, Marcuise Marak, Kharkutta MLA Rupert Momin, Rongjeng MLA Jim Sangma, along with district officials and representatives of various line departments.
