Shillong, Feb 19: Land compensation for National Highway construction has been processed for 187 beneficiaries in North Garo Hills and 2,227 in East Garo Hills, amounting to over Rs 268 crore, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, in-charge PWD (Roads), informed the Assembly on Thursday.
In North Garo Hills, Rs 43,96,924 has been paid to 187 beneficiaries while East Garo Hills accounts for Rs 225,13,52,897 disbursed to 2,227 beneficiaries.
The compensation covers owners of affected land, structures, trees, and crops, Tynsong said.
Kharkutta MLA Rupert Momin, in a supplementary, noted that while some residents who received payments were “very happy” and had bought land or built houses, many others with valid documents were still left out. He asked whether such families could re-apply and be considered.
Tynsong replied that about 93–94% of land compensation had been cleared and handed over to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) for construction.
He acknowledged pending grievances in “few stretches” where beneficiaries were dissatisfied with the district administration’s assessment.
“In North Garo Hills, we have only four cases — three are right now with the arbitrator and one involves a land dispute among owners. I hope within a short period the issues will be resolved,” he said.
“There is scope for landowners: if they are not satisfied with the rate set by the district, they have the right to submit a petition. The arbitrator notified by the government will resolve this,” he added.
