Travel nightmare on Umshyrpi-7th Mile stretch
Shillong, Aug 20: Concerned over the severe difficulties caused to commuters, the Meghalaya State Planning Board (MSPB) has directed the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and contractors concerned to speed up construction of the Umshyrpi-7th Mile stretch of the Shillong-Dawki four-lane project.
MSPB chairman Metbah Lyngdoh issued the directive after conducting a site inspection with Board members and PWD and NHIDCL officials on Tuesday.
Addressing the media, Lyngdoh expressed concern over the project’s slow progress and the resultant difficulties faced by daily commuters, especially people those from West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills, Eastern West Khasi Hills, and parts of East Khasi Hills.
“People are facing major challenges travelling from 7th Mile, Upper Shillong up to Anjalee petrol pump as it takes them 1 – 2 hours. We feel it is a matter of concern that people have to spend a lot of time travelling this stretch of the road especially in times of emergency,” he said.
Narrating his own experience, he said, “I also keep on travelling through this road to Mairang on a daily basis and I am facing the same problem.”
On the delay in completion of the bypass at 3rd Mile, Upper Shillong, he informed that the inspection revealed that contractors are facing hurdles, including issues related to shifting pipes, which will take another two months to resolve.
“The contractors have assured that they will complete the bypass within two months and open it to traffic,” Lyngdoh said.
Noting that the quality of work on some retaining walls is not up to the mark, the MSPB chairman said the retaining wall near Umshyrpi bridge was tilted, raising technical concerns.
PWD officials have flagged these issues with the contractor and NHIDCL, he said.
The project is targeted for completion by December 2025. MSPB has asked NHIDCL to submit the schedule of the completion of work, emphasizing the need for its timely completion.
