RailEnquiry

SHILLONG: Governor Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary informed the ninth Meghalaya assembly that the much-awaited Shillong bypass will be completed within this month.Addressing the assembly on the first day of the budget session on Thursday, he said roads promote economic activity as they are the lifeline of the state. "It is natural for the government to give high priority to roads," the governor said, adding that a large number of projects to improve road connectivity have been taken up in the state in recent years.Mooshahary said the completion of the intermediary Jowai bypass has relieved traffic congestion to some extent as all coal laden trucks are diverted along this road."The four-laning of NH-40 (Jorabat to Barapani) is making good progress and is targeted to be completed by early 2014. Work on the Shillong-Nongstoin-Tura highway is also progressing well," he said. The governor informed that 86 detailed project reports have been prepared to connect 109 habitations and they are awaiting sanction from the Union ministry of rural development."The government has a target of constructing a 1625-km road in the next three years to benefit about 515 habitations," he said, adding that 171 projects to upgrade state highways, major district roads, strategic roads and urban roads have been sanctioned.The governor said an inter-state bus terminus in Shillong and an inter-state truck terminus in Ri Bhoi district will also be taken up. "The government proposes to set up a Motor Driving Institute in East Khasi Hills district under a central scheme," he added.

Mooshahary announced that Meghalaya will be on the country's rail map from 2013-14 with the commissioning of the Dudhnoi-Mendipathar line.