Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday informed that the World Bank has sanctioned Rs. 1100 Crore for the Meghalaya Integrated Transport Project.
The Chief Minister who laid the foundation stone for this strategic 20.853 Km road at Dalu in West Garo Hills district on Wednesday, said that under the Meghalaya Integrated Transport Project, an amount of over Rs. 43 Crore has been sanctioned for the upgradation and improvement of the parallel road to the existing Dalu-Baghmara road. Touching on the importance of the project, Sangma said that the Dalu to Baghmara Border parallel road was neglected for many years and the project will be a boon to people of the Dalu-Baghmara border areas.
“This road is crucial for international trade and commerce and will connect 2 districts- West Garo Hills and South Garo Hills Districts in Meghalaya. It will greatly impact the socio-economic development of the region, which is rich in agricultural and horticultural produce, which is being supplied across the State and to other states by the villagers and farmers on foot,” the Chief Minister said, even as he voiced optimism that through this project, the youth will be encouraged to become entrepreneurs in the agri and horti sector.
Reacting to the criticisms against the National People’s Party-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) Government, the Chief Minister said, “There is talk among the people that the MDA Government just lays foundation stones and fail to complete the projects. I want to reassure the people of Dalu and Baghmara that the MDA Government and the NPP are not here to dupe you. We are here to fulfil promises made to the people”.
Also speaking on the government’s vision for Garo Hills, the Chief Minister said, “The Government has plans to operationalise the Baljek airport. If not anything else, at least the flight services from Tura to Shillong will be operationalised by 2022 to coincide with the 50 years celebration of Meghalaya’s Statehood.
