Shillong, July 4: Sutnga-Saipung Legislator Santa Mary Shylla, on Thursday, addressed reports regarding the Rs. 290 crore sanctioned for NH 6 by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), confirming that the official sanction was granted on October 17, 2023.
Shylla acknowledged the persistent efforts of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and the state government to resolve the long-standing issues affecting the highway. She emphasized the Chief Minister’s pivotal role in securing the funds, stating, “Our honourable CM has frequently discussed this issue and presented detailed information to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. His intervention was crucial in securing the Rs. 200 crore sanction. We are still pursuing the remaining Rs. 89 crore.”
She further detailed the allocation of funds, noting that Rs. 103 crore has been assigned to one contractor and Rs. 60 crore to another. “An additional Rs. 89.90 crore has been proposed, and the DPR has been sent to the ministry by the state government. The MDA government has made considerable efforts to secure this sanction, which is a significant achievement. This stretch has been neglected for a long time, and we are grateful to the Ministry of Roads and Transport and the government of Meghalaya for this sanction,” Shylla added.
Repair work began at the end of March and is expected to be completed by March, next year. Shylla explained, “It is a repair work, and the additional amount of Rs. 89 crore is for landslide mitigation and related issues, particularly in areas with loose soil, like from Malidor.”
Reports indicate that approximately Rs. 200 crore will be spent on repairing the worst-affected Jowai-Ratacherra section of the highway, with another Rs. 90 crore addressing landslide-affected patches, especially at Sonapur. The repair work is set to commence immediately after the monsoon season ends in the region.
When questioned about reports of an additional Rs. 290 crore sanction following a letter from Shillong MP Ricky Synkhon to MoRTH, Shylla expressed her confusion: “I’m also confused about that because the state government has already received, as I said, Rs. 200.81 crores. Now if and all we are receiving or being sanctioned another Rs. 290 crores, we will be so much thankful to the MP. I myself will definitely visit him. If he’s getting another additional amount of Rs. 290 crores, I will be really grateful to him.”
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