SHILLONG:
The construction of the 95-kilometer-long Shillong-Dawki road has run into a speed breaker with some landowners refusing to part with land for the project or even accept compensation in lieu of it.
Deputy Chief Minister in-charge PWD (Roads) Prestone Tynsong told reporters on November 15 that there are altogether 40-50 landowners, who are still not willing to part with their land for construction of the road.
Tynsong had earlier reviewed implementation of the project.
The state government has now directed the district collector of East Khasi Hills to resolve the issue with the landowners before the end of November.
“Some of them are not satisfied with the assessment, but again a few of them are not at all willing to part with their land,” he said.
“Accordingly, we have directed the deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills to convince the landowners to accept the land compensation at the earliest possible so that the land can be handed over to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) for implementation of the project,” Tynsong informed.
Stating that the two packages of the project have already been retendered, he said, “I hope by December, they will open the financial bid and immediately work order will be issued for starting the work.”
The road project is funded by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) at an estimated cost of Rs 1187.5 crore. Including land acquisition the total project cost was estimated at Rs 1377.5 crore.
Apart from the JICA-funded Shillong-Dawki project, Tynsong also reviewed the progress of the Nongstoin-Rambrai-Kyrshai road and the road from Ranikor – Maheshkhola up to Baghmara during the meeting held with officials from the PWD, Forest, Revenue, PHE departments and MeECL.
He said the meeting discussed issues pertaining to matter of shifting of utilities and electricity poles.
“So now we have already resolved that it should be completed before November ends,” he said.
All deputy commissioners have also been asked to resolve issues relating to landowners not accepting land compensation for construction of roads in the other districts of the state.