PM Modi inaugurates road project in Meghalaya

Meghalaya, Dec 17: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has Inaugurated the Shillong-Nongstoin-Rongjeng-Tura road project here in Meghalaya on Saturday and stressed the need for connectivity to ensure development in the north-eastern region (NE).

Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and Public Works Department (Roads) Minister, Martin M. Danggo, who received Modi at the advanced landing ground in Upper Shillong, however, did not attend the inauguration of the road project.

After inaugurating the road project, where invited journalists were not allowed to cover the ceremony, Modi said the road would boost economic activity and establish a direct link between the important towns of the state- Shillong, and Tura.

Noting that his government's motto was "Transformation by transportation", Modi said the National Highway Infrastructure Corporation Ltd would construct a 400-Km road in Meghalaya with an outlay of Rs 5,700 crore.

The Prime Minister also announced that his government had released around Rs 470 crore under the Pradhan Manti Gram Sadak Yojana to construct a 700-km road connecting over 100 villages.

Modi also announced that Rs 180 crore had been earmarked for the expansion of Shillong airport.

He said the road project should be completed within one-and-half years and added that Meghalaya should benefit from Udan scheme as flights from Umroi airport would fly to other cities of the North East.

Modi said that 19,000 families in Meghalaya had availed benefits the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana for providing LPG.

He said the government was executing 15 new rail lines stretch over nearly 14,000 km at an estimated cost of Rs 47,000 crore and boost infrastructure in the north-eastern states.