Meghalaya Government is awaiting for an additional fund of Rs 89.90 crore for the repairing and development of as many as seven locations along the National Highway-6 in East Jaintia Hills District.
Legislator from Saipung Sutnga constituency Santa Mary Shylla on Thursday told Mediapersons that the state Government is pursuing the matter and the Ministry Of Road Transport and Highway (MORTH) has already sanctioned Rs 281 crores on October 17, 2023 for this project as the project is expected to be completed by 2025.
Elaborating further on the sanctioned amount, she said the work is in progress.
Asked about the additional fund, Shylla said the additional Rs 89.90 is required to develop the areas which are more prone to landslide mitigation slope stabilization at seven vulnerable locations along the 102 stretch of NH6.
Meanwhile, the Public Works Department (PWD) has clarified that an MoU has been signed between National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and M/s THDCIL to prepare the DPR for these seven locations. However, the DPR amounting to ₹ 89.90 Crores for these locations was submitted by THDCIL and forwarded to Regional Office NHAI Guwahati on 18.06.2024 for the allotment of the work/tendering and the sanction of the same is awaited.
“As regarding critical vulnerable locations on NH-6 and preparation of a mitigation plan for the same, M/s THDCIL had been selected by NHAI as the consultant responsible for preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for landslide mitigation and slope stabilization at seven vulnerable locations, including addressing mudslide/landslide concerns at the Sonapur Tunnel area. An MoU has been signed between NHAI and M/s THDCIL on 15th February 2024 to prepare the DPR for these seven locations. The DPR amounting to ₹ 89.90 Crores for these locations was submitted by THDCIL and forwarded to Regional Office NHAI Guwahati on 18.06.2024 for the allotment of the work/tendering and the sanction of the same is awaited. The matter was taken up for early finalisation by Shri Conrad K. Sangma, Hon’ble CM of Meghalaya on 24th of June, 2024 during his meeting with Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Union Minister, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Govt of India,” the state PWD said.
Stating that the NHAI approved the proposal for strengthening and repair of NH-6 between Jowai-Ratacherra with a financial implication of ₹ 200.81 Crores on 17.10.2023 itself, the state PWD said the work has been taken up in two packages.
“ The work has been taken up in two packages and the tender for package[1]I for the strengthening/improvement work, including regular maintenance work, from Km 69.200 to Km 120.200 was finalised and Letter of Acceptance vide letter No. 25941 was issued on 07.02.2024. The contract agreement was signed on 08.03.2024, for contract amount of ₹ 77.81 crore and the work commenced on 23.03.2024,” the statement said.
“ Tender for second package for the strengthening/improvement work, including regular maintenance work, from Km 120.200 to Km 171.455 was finalised and a Letter of Acceptance No. 25914 was issued on 02.02.2024, for contract amount of ₹ 122.99 crore,” the statement said.
“The contract agreement was signed on 22.02.2024, and the work commenced on 22.03.2024,” he added.