Shillong, April 28: The Meghalaya government has reaffirmed its commitment to complete the widening of the Shillong–Dawki road by 2027, while urging residents to avoid non-essential travel during the monsoon season due to recurring landslides and safety risks.
Deputy Chief Minister in-charge PWD (Roads) Prestone Tynsong said the government is closely monitoring the project and has directed round-the-clock surveillance and surveys of vulnerable stretches to prevent loss of lives. “We are committed to completing this project at the earliest possible time. I request all affected residents to bear with us as we work to ensure timely completion,” Tynsong told reporters on Tuesday.
He expressed confidence that the project would be completed within the targeted timeline of 2027, noting that the challenging terrain has made construction difficult. Highlighting the risks, Tynsong said the road passes through narrow stretches with limited scope for expansion and deep gorges on either side, making it prone to landslides, especially during the rainy season.
The Deputy Chief Minister informed that agencies including the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL), State PWD, and the district administration have been instructed to implement safety measures across the entire stretch up to Dawki. He added that expert teams and consultancy groups have been tasked with continuous monitoring to identify unsafe zones and take corrective action promptly.
Referring to recent incidents, Tynsong said a stretch at Mawlieh was reopened after clearance works, but another landslide occurred near Laitlyngkot shortly after, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the terrain. “The moment one stretch is cleared, landslides may occur at another location. Blasting vibrations and loose soil conditions make it difficult even for experts to predict such incidents,” he said.
In view of the risks, Tynsong appealed to residents, particularly those travelling between Pynursla and Dawki, to avoid unnecessary travel during the monsoon and to prefer daytime travel in unavoidable situations.
Acknowledging the inconvenience faced by commuters, he said the completed project would significantly reduce travel time. “Once completed, travel time will be reduced to about 40–45 minutes to Pynursla and around one to one hour fifteen minutes to Dawki or Tamabil, benefiting the people immensely,” he said.
On compensation for victims of the recent Mawlieh rockslide, which claimed two lives, Tynsong said ex-gratia payments would be processed as per government rules and procedures.
The Shillong–Dawki road has witnessed repeated closures due to landslides, including a recent shutdown of over a week to ensure public safety.
