Chief Minister Conrad Sangma today said that the MDA government is not here to “dupe people but to fulfill promises.”
“There is talk among the people that the MDA Government just lays foundation stones and failed to complete the projects,” the Chief Minister said, adding, “I want to reassure the people of Dalu and Baghmara that the MDA government and the NPP is not here to dupe you. We are here to fulfill the promises made to the people”.
The Chief Minister was speaking at the foundation stone laying function held for the parallel road to the existing Dalu-Baghmara road at Dalu in West Garo Hills.
Tagging it as a “long-awaited project”, the Chief Minister stated that it will be fulfilled yet again by the MDA Government. He said that the road was neglected for many years and hoped that it will be a boon to the people especially for trade and businesses to flourish. “This road is crucial for international trade and commerce and will connect West Garo Hills and South Garo Hills Districts in Meghalaya,” he added.
Spanning across 20.853 km, the project is funded under the Meghalaya Integrated Transport Project (MITP) at Rs. 43, 45, 27,900 which will be completed in 36 months. The scope of work also includes the construction of five RCC bridges.
The Chief Minster informed that the World Bank funded MITP for the entire State at Rs 1100 Cr out of which Rs 43 Cr has been sanctioned for the project.
The road starts from NH 217 at Dalu Chaipani ending at Baghmara with a total length of 31 km (up to Sibbari) under Barengapara Division. It road runs along the international border with Bangladesh and connects important villages like Chaipani and Baburambil in West Garo Hills and Jatrakona, Sempara, Lower Gasuapara, Angratuli, Khondok, Fakirkona, Dumnikura, Ramchenga, Kapasipara, Dipliparara and Sibbari in South Garo Hills. The road is also used by the BSF for their daily patrolling along the Indo-Bangla border. The export of coal to Bangladesh is done through Gasuapara Land Custom Station and coal depots are on the 11th and 13th kms of this road.
The Chief Minister further informed that the State government has plans to operationalise the Baljek airport.
“If not anything else at least the flight services from Tura to Shillong will be operationalised by 2022 to coincide with the 50 years celebration of Meghalaya’s Statehood. In the coming two years we have many other developmental projects lined up for Garo Hills and the entire State as a whole,” he said.
