STAFF CORRESPONDENT
SHILLONG: In a major boost to Garo Hills, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma laid the foundation for upgrading the Rongram-Phulbari Hill Road.
Carrying forward the objective of the State government to upgrade the road network across the State, the project was sanctioned to upgrade the highway from single lane to intermediate lane for smooth traffic movement.
The 60-km road will be constructed at an approximate cost of Rs 139,02,65,000. Starting from the 85th km point of NH-51 at Rongram Bazar, the road will pass along the hilly terrain and meet the AMPT Road at Phulbari Town.
The stretch falls under the 'State Highway Road' category, and it will connect two important towns of West Garo Hills, namely Tura and Phulbari.
Covering over 40 villages, running through areas with high agriculture produce, the road will impact the livelihood of the people apart from their ease of travel. The scope of work includes earthwork in road formation, metalling and blacktopping, cross drainage works, protection walls, and traffic signage.
The Chief Minister said, "The Rogram-Phulbari Hill Road is one of the oldest and crucial roads of West Garo Hills district. It provides connectivity to the interior areas of the northern part of the district from the district headquarters."
The Chief Minister added, "Our Government has accorded the highest priority to building road infrastructure. In the last three years, we invested over Rs 1,800 crore for roads in Garo Hills. We will further work towards ensuring that our roads and communication facilities are improved across the State.
Thanking the Deputy Chief Minister who also is the PWD Minister, the Chief Minister said, "I thank the Deputy CM, under whose leadership, PWD and the Road sector has visible transformations."
He also asked the Deputy Commissioner and officials of PWD to continuously monitor the project and ensure completion of the road by December 2022.
Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong stated, "Not less than Rs 1,800 crore has been invested in the road sector by the present Government. From 2013-2018, the then Government was able to pump-in Rs. 700 crore in the same sector for the region".
Power Minister James P.K. Sangma said, "As MLA from 2008, I tried to pursue the matter for upgradation of the road. I even raised the issue in the Assembly repeatedly. However, my plea was turned down. It is because of our able leadership under Chief Minister Conrad Sangma that our long-pending demand for this road was finally accorded sanction."