Shillong, Mar 13: Land acquisition for construction of the Shillong Western Bypass is almost complete, but for only 2.5% of the land, which the authorities have been trying to resolve the issues with the beneficiaries.
The state government has handed over 97.5% of land for construction of Shillong Western Bypass to the National Highway & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), deputy chief minister in-charge PWD (Roads) Prestone Tynsong said in reply to a question in the state assembly on Thursday.
“Regarding the remaining 2.5% land, deputy commissioners of East Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi are working out to resolve whatever issues raised by the beneficiaries,” Tynsong said.
So far, over Rs 455 crore was spent for acquisition of land for the project in East Khasi Hills and over Rs 121 crore in Ri-Bhoi as per Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013.
Terming the progress of work on three packages of the project as “satisfactory”, said the project has not faced any land-related issue except claims and counter claims of ownership.
“Such issue will be resolved by the DCs in no time,” he said.
To a question from leader of opposition Mukul Sangma about landless families affected by the project, the deputy chief minister said, “Issues that come up till this moment are being attended to by the two respective DCs. We are here from the government to also help displaced families.”
He assured to take up any issue arising out the road alignment going through such land.
Tynsong also refuted allegations of financial misappropriation in the land compensation, saying there has been no complaint that land owners were asked to pay up 10-20% of the compensation amount.
“No such formal complaint was received by the DCs,” he added.
