Nitin Gadkari
Two-laning of NH 6 from Jowai to Ratacherra being dedicated to nation by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in Shillong. Image - Twitter

Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday dedicated two-laning of the National Highway-6 from Jowai to Ratacherra (Meghalaya-Assam border) during a function at Shillong in Meghalaya.

Construction of the 102.255 km of the project commenced on November 18, 2015 and completed on May 16 this year. The road originates from 69.200 km of NH-06, about 5 km from Jowai town in West Jaiñtia Hills district, and ends at 171.455 km of NH-06 at Malidor (Meghalaya-Assam border) in East Jaiñtia Hills district.

The road has three major bridges, 34 minor bridges, 441 culverts, 1 tunnel, 2 toll plazas, 17 bus bays.

With the completion of the road project, trucks and heavy vehicles coming from Brahmaputra valley can move smoothly in a record time to Silchar in Barak Valley within Assam and provides connectivity to other North Eastern States like Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Southern Assam.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Tripura CM Biplab Kumar Deb, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Meghalaya Deputy CM Prestone Tynsong, Arunachal Pradesh’s Deputy CM Chowna Mein, Meghalaya Tourism Minister Metbah Lyngdoh, Meghalaya Social Welfare Minister Kyrmen Shylla and Jowai MLA, Wailadmiki Shylla were also present on the occasion.

Gadkari is on a two-day visit to Meghalaya for an extensive review of various national highways projects in the North Eastern States. The review meeting was held on Monday evening by the Union Minister. The review meeting will continue till Tuesday morning.

Addressing the function, Gadkari said that the Central Government has been giving highest priority for the overall development of the NE States, adding that roads and connectivity are the means to prosperity and the key for the development of industries and agriculture sector.

The Union Minister also said that bamboo cannot only be used for production of paper products but it also has a huge potentiality to be used for bio-energy production and urged the State Government to make use of the raw material for creating employment opportunities in the State.

The Meghalaya Chief Minister termed the inauguration of the highway a proud and historic moment and a boon for the State of Meghalaya and the North Eastern States. He said that the completion of the road will go a long way in boosting the economy of the area in particular and the State as a whole.

Union Minister Gadkari on his Twitter handle on Monday stated: “In Shillong today dedicated to nation two laning of NH06 between Jowai to Ratacherra section in Meghalaya.”

It is expected that the NH project which has been constructed at a cost of Rs 683 crore will reduce the travel time between Jowai and Ratacherra to 2.5 hours from earlier four hours.

Gadkari also tweeted: “This NH project of Rs 683 Cr investment will help to enhance road connectivity in North East.  CM Sri Conrad Sangma and Biplab Kr Deb were present on this occasion.”

Union Minister Gadkari, while expressing its commitment towards the development of the country, in another tweet stated: “We are committed for faster and sustainable development of North East India.”

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has expressed his thanks to Union Minister Gadkari for dedicating the highway to the nation.

Conrad Sangma on his Twitter handle stated: “Thank you Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari ji for dedicating Jowai to Ratacherra road to the nation. We are very optimistic that under your leadership Meghalaya will witness progress in developing road connectivity in the region.”