
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, in charge of the Public Works Department (Roads & Buildings), on Friday conducted a review of the progress on eight major road projects in Meghalaya, with a combined value exceeding Rs 5000 crore.
“I’m pleased to inform you that the progress of the work is good,” Tynsong stated after the meeting. He emphasized that, “No government in the history of Meghalaya, from 1972 until now, has been able to bring such significant projects. Only this government, since 2018, has managed to secure them.”
The eight major road projects under review include:
•Dainadubi-Darugre road (40 km) at Rs 705.83 crore
•Darugre to Williamnagar road (36 km) at Rs 801 crore
•Tura-Dalu road (51 km) at Rs 610 crore
•Nongstoin-Rambrai-Kyrshai road (33 km) at Rs 359 crore
•Shillong Western Bypass Package I (12.8 km) at Rs 620 crore
•Shillong Western Bypass Package II (11.90 km) at Rs 686 crore
•Shillong Western Bypass Package III (13.55 km) at Rs 562 crore
•Shillong-Dawki Road at Rs 1200 crore
•Tura Bypass at Rs 943 crore
•High-Speed Corridor from Mawlyngkhung (Umiam Lake Flyover to Panchgram, Assam)
Tynsong also discussed the High-Speed Corridor project, stating that surveys and discussions with local leaders (Rangbah Shnong) are still ongoing. The final project amount will be determined once the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is completed.
Land acquisition, however, remains a significant challenge for these projects. Tynsong noted that a large portion of the review meeting was focused on addressing this issue. “Seventy-five percent of our meeting was spent on land acquisition. I’m happy to report that all projects have been reviewed, and I’ve instructed the concerned departments to expedite their processes,” he said. “We want to complete these projects as soon as possible, and they will be a huge blessing for the state.”
On the status of the Shillong-Dawki road project, Tynsong stated that work on Packages I, II, IV, and V is progressing well, despite occasional delays due to landowner compensation disputes. He assured that the Shillong-Dawki road would be completed by 2026. He added that Package III, the Pynursla Bypass, has already received approval from the Government of India and is valued at around Rs 564 crore.
Regarding the Corridor Expressway, Tynsong highlighted that the total project, including land compensation, is budgeted at approximately Rs 25,000 crore, with the Meghalaya portion estimated to cost no less than Rs 15,000 crore. He explained that the Government of India has instructed that this project should be developed as a Greenfield project, meaning it will not connect to existing roads. “It will be a completely new road, avoiding villages and communities, and not expanding existing roads,” Tynsong explained.