Meghalaya: NHIDCL shortens Shillong-Dawki underpass due to land issue

Shillong: The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has scaled back its plans for the underpass construction along the Shillong-Dawki road in Meghalaya.

Initially, the underpass was intended to extend up to Barik Point, but due to complications in land acquisition, especially involving defense property, the NHIDCL has decided to curtail the project.

The underpass will now terminate a few hundred meters before Anjalee Petrol Pump. This revised plan comes after the state government faced difficulties in acquiring the necessary land for the Barik Point extension.

Despite earlier assurances, the NHIDCL and project consultants encountered unforeseen hurdles in land acquisition, including the involvement of Army-owned property.

An NHIDCL official stated, "Given the state government's inability to provide the required land, and the complications with defense property, we have decided to limit the underpass to its current planned length.

However, if the state government manages to acquire the necessary land in the future, we may reconsider extending the project."

The NHIDCL is currently finalizing the design for the 930-meter underpass. Once the design is complete, technical investigations for the construction will proceed.