Shillong, March 16: The Meghalaya government has decided to scrap the proposed elevated corridor in Shillong and instead widen the existing road into a four-lane stretch from Umshyrpi Bridge to Barik Point after consultations with the Army and highway authorities concluded that the flyover plan was not feasible.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who holds the PWD (Roads) portfolio, said the decision was taken following a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma. “The proposal of an elevated road seems to be not that feasible. We decided recently that right from Umshyrpi Bridge up to Barik Point will be converted into four lanes instead of an elevated road,” Tynsong told reporters on Monday.
According to the Deputy Chief Minister, the meeting was attended by senior officials including the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Army, where detailed discussions were held on the project. He said the Public Works Department (PWD), the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), and Army officials have been asked to carry out a joint inspection to assess the exact area and land required for the widening project.
“We asked PWD and NHIDCL together with Army officers to have a joint inspection and work out how much area or land is required. But the decision was taken that four-lane should be in place instead of an elevated road,” Tynsong said. He added that the Army has agreed in principle to provide the necessary land, subject to the outcome of the survey.
Meanwhile, Tynsong also informed that the Shillong–Dawki road project is progressing as scheduled, with the executing company working to complete the project within the targeted timeline. “Right now the company is trying their best to make sure that within the prescribed targeted date the project is completed,” he said.
