Shillong, Nov 09: Meghalaya Chief Minister Mr. Conrad K Sangma today laid the foundation stone fo the ₹136-crore Chokpot–Kharukol road project a major connectivity initiative expected to improve access across South Garo Hills.
Addressing a gathering at Chokpot, Sangma said the district had lagged behind other parts of Meghalaya in development and infrastructure for several years. However, he said the situation was gradually changing under the present NPP-led government.
The Chief Minister said several previous governments and MLAs had attempted to secure approval for the road project but had been unsuccessful. The present government secured the ₹136-crore sanction in coordination with the Union Ministry of Rural Development.
He said the project received the highest priority in Meghalaya, with the Ministry approving only two projects in the state. He thanked Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for the sanction and said work had recently commenced.
The 46.08-km road will start from Chokpot Bazar, connect to NH 217 (formerly NH 62) at Siju and continue towards Kharukol. It will serve 14 villages — Warima, Budugre, Dagalgre, Kakhija, Kilbomagre, Papa Asakgre, Dobogre, Rekmangre, Paromgre, Dabalgre, Nokatgre, Tolegre, Nengrugittim and Siju — covering a population of 5,783.
The road is expected to provide the shortest route from Chokpot towards Shillong and Guwahati. It will also improve connectivity between Tura and tourist destinations in western South Garo Hills.
The project includes widening the road to intermediate-lane standards, nine RCC bridges, culverts, pucca drains, breast walls and retaining walls. Excavation has started at kilometre 30, while mobilisation is underway.
Besides improving passenger connectivity, the road will serve as a freight corridor for coal and limestone transported to the Dalu and Gasuapara Land Customs Stations. It will also facilitate the movement of agricultural produce, including ginger, turmeric and arecanut.
The project is expected to strengthen a tourism circuit covering Warima Fish Sanctuary, Redingsi Wari, Goera Ronggat, Imilchang Falls, Chibanda, Wari Chora, Dombe Wari, Rekman Falls, Renang Falls, Ja’desil Fish Sanctuary and Nongkong Cave, with onward links to Siju Cave, Siju Bird Sanctuary, Baghmara and Balpakram National Park.
Mr. Sangma said Chokpot would emerge as an important junction connecting South andWest Garo Hills. The government would plan its development across economic, healthcare, education and business sectors.
On the Sandong–Chokpot road, he said connectivity needed to be developed comprehensively from Sandong to Chokpot and onwards to Silbbari. He added that the government had held discussions with the World Bank and expected a positive outcome under the second phase of PACE.
While the first phase covered other parts of the state, work under the second phase was expected to begin soon. Sangma also assured residents that he would personally assess the Chokpot–Sandong road while travelling back to Tura to examine the need for major repairs.
The programme was attended by Chokpot MLA Sengchim N. Sangma, Rongara Siju MLA Rakkam A. Sangma, MDCs, former MDCs and MLAs, district administration officials, departmental representatives and members of the public.
