Residents from across the various districts of Garo Hills may finally heave a sigh of relief after many road projects, some connecting the national highways while others comprise the state roads are on the verge of a much needed revamp.
While some of these projects have already started in earnest, many that are in the pipeline suggest, the situation could only get better for Garo Hills as well as those in close proximity.
Some of the road projects that have already begun are the National Highway 51 between Dalu – Baghmara, the road between Baghmara in South Garo Hills up to Ranikor in South West Khasi Hills as well as the road connecting Damra in Assam to Bajengdoba in North Garo Hills.
The above mentioned roads have been in a state of despair over decades leading to many questioning the various state governments over their commitment to serve the state.
“It generally takes more than six hours to complete the journey between Baghmara to Ranikor in the current road (150 kms), at least 1.45 hours to travel the 50 kms from Tura to Dalu and about 1.30 hours to complete the 37 kms route from Damra to Bajengdoba. Once completed, the travel times will halve at least and that is more than what we can ask for,” said a resident of Tura, SD Shira on the upcoming road projects.
The Tura – Dalu road is expected to complete the first with about 40 per cent of the work already being completed. The project was started at the end of 2018.
Another road, the Adokgre – Mangsang road between North and East Garo Hills is also currently being worked on and is likely to complete soon.
For the many people of the plain belt, work on the dilapidated stretch section of the AMPT road between Phulbari and Chibinang has already been started and is likely to complete in the early part of next year. If sources are to be believed, there could be further good news for the people of the plain belt, with the entire road once again set to be completely revamped.
For those feeling left out, the road between Rongram through Dadenggre in to Phulbari is also in the process of tendering with work on the road likely to start sometime next year. This road too has been one of the worst in Garo Hills with many asking the department concerned as well as the local MLAs to quickly turn the system around. Similar is the case of the section between Garobadha in South West Garo Hills and Selsella in West Garo Hill districts.
The two roads mentioned above fall under the PWD and are taken care of by the department while the projects are expected to be funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Once completed, the roads are expected to provide immense relief to commuters.
“We are hopeful that the situation will improve and more projects to alleviate the problems of the people will be completed with utmost sincerity. Without a proper road infrastructure, we will continue failing as a state and a community,” felt one SR Sangma from Phulbari.
