Shillong, Oct 1: A delegation of four legislators on Tuesday sought the intervention of chief minister Conrad K Sangma on the delay to upgrade the  Mawphlang – Balat road into a two-lane road as well as declaring it as a national highway.

The delegation comprised of Independent Mawphlang MLA SK Sun, Mawsynram MLA Himalaya Muktan Shangpliang, HSPDP Mawkyrwat MLA Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar and UDP Ranikor MLA Pius Marwein.

The Mawphalang – Balat road was constructed by the government of Assam way back in 1965.

It is an important road which not only connect the state capital with the new district of South West Khasi Hills, but it is also the only road where the people of four constituencies – Mawphlang, Mawsynram, Mawkyrwat and Ranikor have to pass through everyday when they come to Shillong.

The road also links the state capital with the international border with neighbouring Bangladesh.

After the meeting, Sun told reporters that though the road is of state highway category, it is however of single lane carriage way. “Considering the importance of this road, there is an urgent need to convert it into a double lane road. The road has also been approved in principle by the Central government as a national highway.

He said the request for proposal (RFP) for preparation of detailed project report (DPR) are invited by National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) with due date extended from October 22 to 29, 2018.

The technical bid has been opened on November 30, 2018 and technical score is understood to have been shared with bidders on December 4, 2018.

Sun said though there is no official communication yet as to the sucessfull bidder it is learned that Global Infra Solutions may have been shortlisted for issuance of letter of Intent (LoI).

“However, there is delay in issuing of the LoI, the reason which may be due to the fact that there is still no clarity on funding from the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways for this road project viz, Mawngap (an old NH 44E) –Mawphlang-Laitmawsiang-Mawkyrwat-Rangthong-Nongnah-Dirang-Khadphra (Ranikor near Bangladesh border),” he said.

On the other hand, Sun added that on the basis of some information, it is made to understand that the delay that has occured  mainly due to the fact that all roads which are principally approved as National Highway are being reviewed by the concerned ministry for further action.

After the DPR is prepared, the work will  be started at the earliest while the funding requirement for the project is being sorted out.

“In this context, while NHIDCL may be requested by the state to update on the DPR Proposal Preparation, MoRTH may be requested to update on the status of this road. Alternatively, state may also approach other funding agency ( JICA/ADB) for funding for this project considering the urgency,” he said.

Asked, Tongkhar said that the chief minister has assured the delegation of legislators to look into the matter adding the deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong also assured to ensure declaring the road as a national highway is expedited.

The Mawkyrwat MLA also expressed concern that that there is no good road from Shillong to Ranikor but from Ranikor to Baghmara in South Garo Hills District, the construction is all set to start very soon.

In addition to this, Shangpliang said there is need to upgrade the road from Mawphlang to Weiloi especially taking into consideration that transportation of coal is likely to take place very soon.

Meanwhile, Sunn also informed that many fatal accidents have occurred in the past as the road is narrow and there are many sharp turnings along the initial stretch especially along the Mawphlang slope called Thiep Niangblah making the road very risky and accidental prone.