Shillong, Sep 6: The Weiloi-Mawkyrwat Road, which has been ignored for conversion into a proper road system for more than two decades, is finally set for upgradation.
Mawkyrwat MLA Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar said the road is a long-awaited aspiration of the people and expressed happiness that it has finally materialised.
Speaking to Highland Post recently, he said he had dedicated most of his time as the representative of the region to deliver this road, including a stretch from Mawngap to Weiloi.
He expressed hope that the tender process is sped up and work progress is carried out without any delay.
“It is a road that has been ignored for too long. The people of Mawkyrwat have been demanding a better road for more than 20 years. Now this dream is finally taking shape,” Tongkhar, who sits on the government benches, said.
The Meghalaya government has launched the Rs 140 crore upgradation of the Weiloi-Mawkyrwat-Rangthong Road, a key 40km route connecting East Khasi Hills with South West Khasi Hills. The foundation stone for the project was laid recently at Mawkyrwat.
The existing single-lane road will be upgraded to intermediate-lane standard. The project covers two stretches – the 22.56km Laitmawsiang-Mawthawpdah Road and the 17.44km Jakrem-Ranikor Road via Rangthong. The route starts at Weiloi village, near the 23rd kilometre of the Mawphlang-Balat road, and ends at Rangthong.
The road is being funded entirely from the state’s own resources. Work is expected to begin shortly, with most of the stretch targeted for completion within 12 to 15 months.
On completion, it will connect Weiloi, Mawteibah, Laitmawsiang and Pongkung in East Khasi Hills with Umjarain, Jakrem, Mawkyrwat, Nonglang, Mawmerang and Rangthong in South West Khasi Hills.
Tongkhar also flagged the need for creation of another administrative block unit in South West Khasi Hills considering the large area and distance causing inconvenience to people from far-flung villages to reach the block office.
He said the newly started college also needs massive support from the government and emphasised the need to upgrade health centres in the region.
