Meghalaya chief minister, Conrad K. Sangma met the union minister for road transport & highways, Nitin Jairam Gadkari, in New Delhi on Monday.
Conrad Sangma discussed with Gadkari various pending and new road projects proposed to be implemented in Meghalaya.
The Meghalaya chief minister, who was accompanied by his adviser, Thomas Sangma, submitted a list of road projects to the union minister and sought his help to see that connectivity projects are implemented in Meghalaya.
There are four projects under JICA funding in the state having a total of 414.330 km.
During the meeting, the CM also mentioned about the construction of a long bridge over Brahmaputra river which is connecting Dhubri district in Assam with Phulbari in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills district, and the union minister assured that work for this project will start very soon.
For new proposals, the CM submitted a list of projects which include construction of 124 km of road costing around Rs 165 crore under the Inter State Connectivity (ISC) 2019-20.
The 124 km road includes Mawshynrut-Hahim road (38 Km) at Rs 50.00 crore, Nongpoh-Umden-Sonapur (28 Km) at Rs 30.00 crore, Rongsai (in Assam)- Bhorjora-Bajengdoba ( NH 51) (28 km) at Rs 40 crore, Daranggre (in Assam)-Kharkuta -Wageasi on NH-62 (30 km) at Rs 45.00 crore.
The 2018-19 projects include upgradation of Bajengdoba-Resubelpara – Damra road 42 km at Rs 100 crore, upgradation of Pasyih – Garampani Road (21st – 48th km) 28 km Rs 30 crore, upgradation of Umsning-Jagi Road 40 km at Rs 85 crore and upgradation of Nartiang-Jonglwit-Barato road 23 km at Rs 35 crore.
The chief minister informed that he also discussed about ongoing projects including those under Central Road Fund (CRF), and different national highways to speed up the implementation of projects since works have not started yet.
“We had a fruitful discussion with the Union Minister (Gadkari) to initiate new road infrastructure development projects for the state,” he said.
Union minister Gadkari assured the Meghalaya CM that his ministry will take all efforts to construct the critical roads in Meghalaya.
Later, the Meghalaya chief minister along with the Tura MP, Agatha K Sangma, called on the union minister for urban development, Hardeep Singh Puri, on various issues related to better air connectivity for Meghalaya and introduction of direct flights between Shillong and Delhi.
They also discussed the matter related to allotment of space for NPP office in Delhi.
The NPP has been recognised as the national political party recently after having its elected representatives in four states of the country.