Work on widening the 95 kilometres stretch between Shillong and Dawki-Tamabil has begun.
It was observed today that in parts of Upper Shillong, from 7th Mile to Baniuñ, the preparation for road construction has started and many trees have been felled.
However, there was a mixed response from the people in the area. While some were happy to see the project begin, others were unenthusiastic, remarking that widening a road outside Shillong has no benefits, as the heart of the city is the place with the maximum amount of traffic. Once cars reach Umshyrpi, they will be ensnarled in traffic jams, they said, and it would be better if the government focused on widening city roads.
The road project is being funded by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) at an estimated cost of Rs 1,187.5 crore. Including land acquisition, the total project cost was estimated at Rs 1,377.5 crore.
The ambitious project is aimed at constructing a four-lane road from Umshyrpi to 7th Mile, Upper Shillong, and from there a two-lane road to Dawki-Tamabil.
The project is divided into four packages which include Nongpdeng to Tamabil, Nongpdeng to Pynursla, Laitlyngkot Mylliem, and Umshyrpi, which will go through defence land.
