Meghalaya: Centre Approves Umiam to Shillong Four-Lane Extension, Promises Smoother Connectivity

SHILLONG: The long-awaited extension of the four-lane road from Umiam to Shillong is moving forward with approval from the Centre. Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who also heads the Public Works Department (PWD), confirmed the news after reviewing ongoing road projects on Friday.

Tynsong mentioned that discussions with consultants to finalize the road alignment will begin soon. The extension will bypass the Umiam Dam, offering a smoother travel experience. "The extension of the four-lane road will significantly reduce travel time and improve connectivity," he said.

Currently, the four-lane road connects Guwahati to Umiam, but the stretch from Umiam to Shillong has become a bottleneck due to heavy traffic and restrictions on large vehicles along the Umiam Dam route.

Although the Centre has postponed plans to upgrade the Umiam-Jorabat four-lane road to six lanes, it is prioritizing the extension of the Guwahati-Nagaon four-lane road in Assam to six lanes. Another major project under consideration is the high-speed corridor from Umiam to Ratacherra, estimated to cost ₹25,000 crore.

This Greenfield project will be an alternate route to the bypassing villages, communities, and the Shillong Bypass, making travel more convenient and less disruptive. The Centre was determined to see through this project on priority, Tynsong added.

The Umiam-Shillong extension is not the only one, with several others also in the works, including the Shillong-Dawki Road, Western Bypass, Tura-Dalu Road, and Dainadubi-Williamnagar Road. Tynsong said while much progress is good, land acquisition issues continue to be a challenge.

"Land acquisition challenges, including claims and counterclaims, are being addressed in a systematic manner," he said. Tynsong addressed the claims about middlemen asking for commissions from landowners for the Shillong Western Bypass. He explained that landowners could work directly with the government or their representatives. He also reassured that all compensation payments were made only after careful checks. "We have completed the entire process. No further claims will be entertained," he confirmed.

In a significant development, the government resolved long-standing issues with defense authorities over permissions for Package 1 of the Shillong-Dawki Road project. With all necessary clearances granted to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited, the project is now set to progress.

Tynsong reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing all major road projects on schedule. He directed the PWD to speed up work and swiftly address any pending issues, describing the planned infrastructure upgrades as a transformative step for Meghalaya’s connectivity.

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