Shillong, Sept 24:The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari today dedicated to the nation the Two Laning with Paved Shoulder of Jowai-Ratacherra Meghalaya-Assam Border Section of NH-44 from Km 69.200 to km 171.455 at the total length of 102.255 km in Meghalaya side.
The inauguration of this raod was done in the presence of the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Mr Conrad K. Sangma, Chief Minister of Tripura, Mr Biplab Kumar Deb, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Mr Pema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Mr Prestone Tynsong, Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Mr Chowna Mein, Meghalaya Tourism Minister, Mr Metbah Lyngdoh, Meghalaya Social Welfare Minister, Mr Kyrmen Shylla and Jowai MLA, Mr Wailadmiki Shylla.
Addressing the function, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Mr Nitin Gadkari said that the Central Government is giving highest priority for the overall development of the North Eastern States, adding that roads and connectivity are the means to prosperity and the key for the development of industries and agriculture sector.
The Union Minister also said that bamboo can not only be used for production of paper products but it also has a huge potentiality to be used for bio-energy production and urged the State Government to make use of the raw material for creating employment opportunities in the State.
It is indeed a proud and historic moment and a boon for the State of Meghalaya and the North Eastern States, said Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Mr Conrad K. Sangma during the programme. With the area being a highly economic activity zone, the completion of the road will go a long way in boosting the economy of the area in particular and the State as a whole, he said.
It may be mentioned that the 102.255 km road project which commenced on 18-11-2015 completed on 16-05-2018 at the cost of Rs. 683 crores. The road originates from Km 69.200 of NH-06, about 5 km from Jowai town in West Jaintia Hills District and terminates at Km 171.455 of NH-06 at Malidor Assam and Meghalaya Border in East Jaintia Hills District.
The road has 3 major bridges, 34 minor bridges, 441 culverts, 1 tunnel, 2 toll plazas, 17 Bus Bays. With the completion of the road project, trucks and heavy vehicles coming from Brahmaputra valley can move smoothly in a record time frame to Silchar in Barak Valley, within Assam, thus providing connectivity to other North Eastern States like Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Southern Assam.
