The foundation stone for the construction of the Nongpoh-Umden-Sonapur intermediate blacktopped road was unveiled by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who holds the Public Works Department (PWD) portfolio, today.
The project spans a distance of 20km and the estimated budget for the work, funded under the state plan, is Rs 49 crore. Additionally, another road extending from Umden to Sonapur, covering 38.6km, will also be constructed and blacktopped. The latter is a central government project (PMGSY Phase 3) and the budget for that is Rs 47 crore.
Present at today’s ceremony were Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem, Umsning MLA Dr Celestine Lyngdoh, Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal and Ri-Bhoi Superintendent of Police VS Rathore, among others.
Addressing the gathering, Tynsong expressed his gratitude and pride in being part of the milestone event. He highlighted the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders in bringing the project to fruition and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fulfilling the aspirations of the people.
The Deputy CM announced that a special allocation of Rs 1,100 crore has been sanctioned under the PMGSY for the construction of 800km of roads, including major bridges. The project is scheduled to commence during this fiscal year.
He further stated that under the state plan, an additional Rs 1,100 crore has been sanctioned for road connectivity. Moreover, Rs 400 crore has been allocated under the Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CIRF), Rs 140 crore under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) and Rs 2,000 crore through World Bank funding.
“If these road projects are successfully implemented, they will bring transformative changes to Meghalaya,” Tynsong said.
