Shillong June 24: Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma has expressed hope that the project for construction of a bridge over Brahmaputra river connecting Dhubri in Assam with Phulbari in Meghalaya will take off very soon.

“We expect that the project under JICA funding will take off very soon,” Sangma said after meeting the Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Jairam Gadkari in New Delhi on Monday.

The chief minister was accompanied by his adviser, Thomas Sangma. He said ongoing projects including those under the CRF, different national highways, were also discussed during the meeting how to speed up the implementation of projects which are yet to start.

“Gadkari gave a very positive response to our requests and demands. They will focus more on ensuring those projects are completed before taking up new projects. We are positive that within this financial year we will also see that some of the pending projects will start,” Conrad Sangma said.

The chief minister also submitted new proposal for construction of 124 kilometers of road at the cost of Rs 165 crore under the ISC 2019-20. These include Mawshynrut – Hahim road (38 Km) at Rs 50.00 crore, Nongpoh Umden Sonapur (28 Km) Rs 30.00 crore, Rongsai (in Assam)- Bhorjora – Bajengdoba ( NH 51) (28 km) Rs 40 crore, Daranggre (in Assam) -Kharkuta – Wageasi (on NH-62) (30 km) Rs 45.00 crore.

For 2018-19, the roads include upgradation of the Bajengdoba-Resubelpara – Damra road 42 km at Rs 100 crore, upgradation of Pasyih – Garampani Road (21st – 48th km) 28 km Rs 30 crore, upgradation of Umsning-Jagi Road 40 km at Rs 85 crore and upgradation of Nartiang-Jonglwit-Barato road 23 km at Rs 35 crore.