Shillong, Feb 19: The state government has assured progress in land acquisition for the Shillong Western Bypass project and that 96% of land compensation issues have been settled so far.
In reply to a query on the bypass project in the Assembly on Thursday, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge PWD (Roads) Prestone Tynsong said, “The status of the project construction is well in progress and the issues relating to land compensation — 96–97% — have been resolved.”
Referring the query, he said “Maybe the Sohiong member pointed to issues where we still have grievances — 3-4%, which is unresolved till today.”
He said the unresolved part of land is under scrutiny of the district collector, or portions handed over to the arbitrator.
“Let me assure the House that these issues will be resolved and the interest of landowners will not be affected — rather, they will be benefited when the government pays compensation,” he said.
Earlier, UDP legislator from Sohiong Synshar Kupar Lyngdoh Thabah raised concerns over land excavated beyond the revenue-paid area, with sediments allegedly damaging paddy fields during construction.
He asked what the government, revenue department, or NHIDCL would do about unoccupied or unpaid portions.
In response, Tynsong said, “We have the district collector, revenue, who will supervise, see, and attend to all these grievances. In case an issue is so complicated, we have another forum in the arbitrator. If there are grievances, we are there to resolve them.”
