By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 9: The Meghalaya government has submitted a proposal to the Centre to create an economic corridor along the India-Bangladesh border that will pass through various districts of the state before joining National Highway 217 and linking the Phulbari-Dhubri bridge.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Saturday said the proposal has been placed before Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region. He said they all responded positively.
The Chief Minister said he expects a favourable outcome but maintained that it is too early to make an official announcement.
He explained that the proposed corridor will cover over 300 kilometres and pass through East Jaintia Hills, West Jaintia Hills, West Khasi Hills, East Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills, South Garo Hills, and West Garo Hills.
Portions of the route, such as Ranikor to Maheshkhola and to Baghmara, are being developed under different schemes, but Sangma stressed that completing the remaining gaps will require a dedicated push.
He said while the detailed estimate is under preparation, the projected cost for the 50 km road from Weiloi to Keniong stretch is around Rs 200 crore.
Sangma said the road has been included alongside other priority routes and expressed hope that tendering will be completed by the last quarter of the current financial year, with work starting by March or April next year.
Mawkyrwat MLA Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar and Ranikor MLA Pius Marwein called on Sangma on Wednesday, seeking early sanctioning of the Weiloi-Mawkyrwat-Khatphra (Ranikor) road project.
The MLAs reiterated the strategic and economic importance of the project that was proposed through a letter submitted to the Deputy Chief Minister in charge of PWD (Roads) on July 2, 2024.