Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma today laid the foundation for the Nongstoiñ-Maweit Road at a function held at the premises of the St. Mary’s Secondary School Maweit Parish.
The road was first initiated by the Assam government in 1964-65. About 30 villages are dependent on this road that has been left unattended for the past 56 years.
The 23 km road is being taken up under the Meghalaya Integrated Transport (MITP) funded by the World Bank. The project section starts from the junction of Riangdo-Shillong road near the bridge over river Nongdeiñ at Nongstoiñ and ends near the first bridge at Nonghyllam-Maweit Road passing through the villages of Nongpyndeng, Mawlait, Nongthraw, Wahlyngdoh, Nongsbah, Mawdong and Miangshang.
The improvement proposals include strengthening and widening of the existing single lane road to an intermediate lane and the tender value invited for this project is more than Rs 98 crores. The road is stipulated to be complete in 36 months.
During his address, the Chief Minister said that the area has been neglected for a very long time and expressed happiness that the government could once again fulfill the long pending need of the people of the area. He recalled his visit five years ago in 2017 when he had come to attend the ICYM conference and noted that the road had been lying in a dilapidated condition for the last few decades.
“It gives me immense pleasure and a great deal of satisfaction to lay the foundation stone for this very important road’, he said. Laying emphasis on the need for proper connectivity he said that good roads lead to development and paves the way for economic prosperity of the people. “We as a government believe in ensuring good road infrastructure in every part of the State as good road is the basis for any future development in any part of the State. With proper roads other developments follow,” he said.
He said also said that the government has accorded thrust to connectivity projects and has given maximum investment to improve road infra in West Khasi Hills and the State as a whole.
“Hundreds and almost close to thousands crore worth of roads are being constructed in West Khasi Hills region. Many road projects under PMGSY and National Highways which have been neglected for many years have been given renewed focus by the Government. Maximum sanctions have come through the CRF and RIDF and other state schemes,” he further added.
The Chief Minister also acknowledged the work of the local MLA Gigur Myrthong who has made concerted effort to pursue the most crucial projects for the benefit of the people of the area.
Taking cognizance of the demands and requirement of the people of the area the chief minister also assured to look into the demand for the upgradation of the Maweit PHC to CHC.
“The government understands that healthcare facilities are the most important infrastructure that the people of Maweit area need after roads. Health has been a major area of focus for the government. We understand that a large population suffer because proper health services are not available which is compounded by the absence of proper road connectivity hence to ensure that the overall health services improve in this area we will expedite the up gradation of the PHC after further discussions with the concerned MLA and the Health Minister,” he informed.
