Rs 12 crore for improving road connectivity from Umtyngngar upto Sohra

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 3, 2021

In a bid to improve the road condition and to provide better connectivity for the people residing under Sohra Sub-Division, Prestone Tynsong, Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya i/c PWD (Roads) laid the foundation stone for the improvement of Riding Quality and Sealing of Distressed Pavement of the Shillong Sohra Road from 22nd Km to 53rd Km under the Systematic Maintenance Programme at Mawkdok on Wednesday.

Also present were Gavin M. Mylliem MLA Sohra, Balajied K. Synrem MLA Shella, TG Nengnong, Secretary, PWD (Roads and Building), AS Mukhim SDO (Civil), Sohra Civil Sub-Division and other dignitaries.

The Scheme, “Improvement of Riding Quality and Sealing of Distressed Pavement of Shillong – Sohra Road from 22nd Km to 53rd Km” was included in the  Budget 2020-2021 of the Government of Meghalaya under the ‘Systematic Maintenance Programme (SMP)’ implemented by the Department of PWD for the repairing and improvement of Roads. The total budget sanctioned for the above project starting from Umtyngngar upto Sohra is Rs.12 crores. The Scheme would include blacktopping of the road from Umtyngar to Mawsmai through Semi Dense Bituminous Macadam (SDBC).

The Road from Umtyngar to Sohra was last repaired under the Special Plan Assistance (SPA) Scheme in the year 2013. Since then, no more repairs were made on the road and over time, the road has deteriorated and at various parts and stretches of the road, rots and cracks have developed due to overdue surface renewal.

Speaking on the occasion, Prestone Tynsong expressed his happiness in being able to lay the foundation stone for the project at Mawkdok, as he says it is appropriate for it being one of the most renowned tourist spots of Meghalaya. He said that the government is committed to bring about an overall change, not only in the major towns of the state but is working tirelessly to bring about an all round development concentrating in the rural areas particularly focusing on the road sector.

Deputy Chief Minister said, “The Umtyngngar Sohra road is one of the most important roads in the state as it connects a countless number of villages in the region stretching right up to Shella and all the way down to the border of Bangladesh.”

He further stated that the road also holds significance as Sohra is an important tourist destination and hundreds of vehicles ferrying Tourists travel on this important stretch, which in turn provides gainful employment to the people residing in these areas.

Therefore, he says, the government is prioritizing the repair and improvement of the road from Shillong to Sohra. Furthermore, he informed that the Government is planning to further develop the road connectivity upto Shella which will allow tourists to visit areas beyond Sohra like Wahrew and Shella. He informed that the Government has sent a proposal to the Centre to consider converting the Umtyngar Bholaganj road to a National Highway and he says the Centre is studying the proposal. The areas under Sohra Civil Sub-Division  is also rich in limestone, fruits and various agricultural products like Bay leaves, Broomstick, pepper and others, and the road facilitates the transportation and export of these goods to the markets within and outside the state.