20-year delay for Shillong bypass

April 5, 2008

P.R. Kyndiah: Hopeful

Shillong, April 4: Union tribal affairs minister P.R. Kyndiah and officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) visited Ri Bhoi district today, concerned over the delay in the construction of the Shillong bypass.

The construction of the bypass has been delayed for more than 20 years because of problems in land acquisition and hurdles imposed by red tape.

Kyndiah said the delay in completing the bypass has caused hardship to the people of the state and the rest of the Northeast, as traffic congestion has become the order of the day.

Once the bypass is constructed, the trucks plying through Shillong will be diverted through the bypass to reduce traffic snarls.

He said the land acquisition process was nearly complete and the proposal is now pending with the Union ministries of shipping, road transport and highways.

The cost of the project is Rs 220.35 crore and the length of the proposed bypass is 47.06km, starting from National Highway 40 at Barapani in Ri Bhoi district and ending at National Highway 44 at Mawryngkneng in East Khasi Hills district.

Truck movement along the National Highway 44, which passes through Shillong, is at present banned for 12 hours.

Kyndiah said once the Union transport ministry sanctions the project, the proposal will be sent to the Union finance ministry for approval.

The tender for the project will be called after the clearance and the NHAI will execute the project.

“I am taking up the matter with both the ministries so that the work can start at the earliest,” Kyndiah said, adding that the Union ministry of environment and forests has also cleared the project.

The NHAI will construct one major bridge and eight minor ones to complete the bypass.

The general manager of NHAI, D. Gogoi, accompanied Kyndiah on the tour.

He said Rs 19 crore has been released as land compensation in East Khasi Hills and Rs 5 crore will be released for the landowners in Ri Bhoi district soon.

Source: www.telegraphindia.com