Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma laid the foundation stone for the upgrade to the Umrit to Umdu road in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and Jirang MLA constituency Sostenes Sohtun today.
The road is the backbone for the people of the region but has been left to deteriorate for the last 40 years.
The upgrade to the 31 kilometre stretch of road will cost Rs 58 crore, to be funded under a World Bank project taken up under the Meghalaya Integrated Transport Project.
Speaking at ceremony, the Chief Minister termed the road project a historic moment and said that it will usher in a major transformation to the economic condition of the people living in the area.
Without mentioning the opposition Congress Party, Sangma took a dig at the previous government by lauding his own administration’s commitment to road development.
“In the last two and a half years we have seen historic investments being made in the road sector,” Sangma said. “The reason why we have done that is because this government truly believes that economic development starts with good infrastructure and good roads. If we have good roads, economic prosperity begins, transformation begins.”
He also mentioned plans to improve the Nongstoin-Maweit Road, that between Rongram, Dadenggre and Phulbari in Garo Hills, the Umsning-Jagiroad route and the Nongpoh-Umden-Sonapur Road.
Local MDC Victor Rani and Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner RM Kurbah were also present on the occasion.
