Shillong, June 7: Mawsynram and Sohra are set to be directly connected through a new road link and bridge over the Umiam river, a project UDP MLA Olan Sing Suin said will transform tourism in the region.
Speaking on Saturday, the Mawsynram legislator said infrastructure work across the area is gaining pace and will cut travel time while drawing more visitors to both destinations.
On ongoing road projects, Suin said two key stretches are progressing under World Bank funding. “The road from Phlangwanbroi to Ranikor is already under construction.
The Welloi to Phlangwanbroi stretch is currently under tendering, and the process is expected to be completed by June. There is no doubt this project will be finished within 1-2 years,” he said.He added that improved roads will directly impact visitor numbers.
“Once these roads are completed, I am confident tourist footfall will increase. Road conditions play a big role in tourist flow. With better connectivity, we expect more tourists and faster growth for the local tourism industry,” Suin stated.
Suin said he recently met Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong to propose a direct road between Mawsynram and Sohra via Dewsaw Road to Nongwar, eliminating the longer southern and western routes.
“The rain museum at Mawsynram is under construction. As I have said earlier, Mawsynram and Sohra must be connected directly. We should not depend on longer routes through the southern or western parts. A direct link from Mawsynram to Sohra is what we need,” he said.“I discussed this with Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong two days ago. I want the Sohra-Mawsynram road to be connected through Dewsaw Road to Nongwar,” he added.
The MLA explained that work is already underway from both ends. A bridge across the Umiam river would complete the connection.
“From Dewsaw to the Umiam riverbank, the road is under construction. From the Sohra side, from Nongwar to Phali, that road is also under construction. Both roads reach the riverbank and can be linked by a bridge. Once the bridge is built, Mawsynram and Sohra will be directly connected through Dewsaw and Nongwar,” Suin said.
Suin said the new link could create a combined tourism circuit covering Sohra’s caves and living root bridges with Mawsynram’s rain museum.
“I hope this becomes a reality soon. If it does, Sohra and Mawsynram can function as one circuit. Tourists can start at Sohra, visit the Living Root Bridge, descend to the Umiam river, and then head up to Mawsynram to see the Rain Museum. One day, both places can rank among Meghalaya’s top tourist destinations,” he said.
