Shillong: Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong apprised that at least 12 projects financed by the World Bank will be completed by 2022.
10 out of the 12 World Bank-funded projects are road projects while the other two are bridge projects. Five of the road projects are in Garo Hills districts while the other five are in Khasi Hills districts.
"We have 10 big important projects, five in Garo Hills and the other five in Khasi-Jaintia Hills. The progress is good and I am sure towards the end of 2022 we will be able to complete all of the big projects in the state," said the Deputy CM of Meghalaya.
Prestone Tynsong also happens to be the Minister in charge of PWD (Roads). He held a review meeting of the projects on 14 December.
The 10 road projects involve the upgradation and improvement of Bajengdoba-Resu-Mendipathar-Damra road, Agia Medhipara Phulbari Tura road, Dalu-Baghmara Road, Diengpasoh road, Laitkor-Pomlakrai-Laitlyngkot road, Umling-Patharkhmah road, Rongjeng-Mangsang-Adokgre road, Pasyih to Garampani road, Mawmaram-Mawlendep road, Rongram-Rongrenggre Darugre road.
The bridge projects include the construction of ridge over Umngot river, Jongksha-Kharang-Dienglieng road and the construction of the bridge over Damring river at Chidaret connecting Thapa Bazar.
The PWD Minister informed that the total expenditure on this project will come to Rs 554.67 crores and this amount had been sanctioned by the World Bank in 2020 under the Meghalaya Integrated Transport Project (MITP).
"Most of the projects started in the year 2020 and the progress of work is very satisfactory. I am sure by 2022 December we will be able to complete all these projects," the PWD Minister stated.
He further went on to say that the implementation of these projects will be reviewed on a regular basis so as to ensure timely completion and avoid delays.
He also talked about the challenges in executing the projects and said that environmental clearance, pollution control board clearances and even forest clearances are the obstacles that need to be overcome.
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