Shillong, 05 March (HS): The long-pending Shillong–Dawki road project has encountered additional delays, with officials now indicating that Phase II and Phase IV are likely to be completed only by December 2027. The project, considered crucial for improving connectivity between Shillong and the international trade point at Dawki, has already missed several earlier deadlines.
To ensure safety in areas where construction is ongoing, authorities have imposed strict regulations on vehicular movement along certain stretches of the road. At present, vehicles are permitted to ply only during two specific windows—between 4:00 am and 11:30 am, and again from 4:00 pm to 9:30 pm.
The restrictions have drawn criticism from local residents and daily commuters, who say the limited hours for traffic have disrupted routine activities and transportation. Many have expressed concern that the curbs have made travel planning difficult, particularly for those commuting for work or essential services.
Officials associated with the project, however, maintained that the restrictions are necessary to avoid accidents during construction work. A senior official said on Thursday that public safety remains the top priority, noting that a few unfortunate incidents had occurred earlier in the construction zones. He added that the administration does not want to take any chances that could endanger commuters.
At the same time, authorities acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the traffic regulation. Police personnel, along with representatives from the construction company, are coordinating to allow vehicles to pass through the restricted zones in case of medical emergencies or other urgent situations.
In terms of progress, Package II—covering the 35-kilometre stretch from Mylliem Marbaniang to Lad Langkawet—has reached about 60% completion. Meanwhile, Package IV, which includes widening the 27-kilometre road from Khliehtyrsaw to Lad Lapalang into a two-lane route with paved shoulders, is nearing 80% completion.
Work has also begun on Package V, spanning 7.99 kilometres from Lad Lapalang to Tamabil near Dawki. This segment includes the construction of a new 368-metre bridge over the Umngot River, with work reportedly advancing close to the Dawki bridge area.
Officials said the project has faced slow progress in certain stretches due to geographical challenges. Several portions of the road pass through extremely narrow areas, while the difficult hilly terrain and complex topography have made construction work more demanding.
Meanwhile, Package III, which involves the Pynursla Bypass from Wahlyngkhat to Khliehtyrsaw, has been awarded to Dhar Brothers Construction. The project includes a proposed flyover, though construction has yet to begin due to pending land acquisition and alignment-related issues. Authorities recently released about ₹95 crore as compensation to resolve land-related hurdles.
Package I, covering the four-lane stretch from Rilbong to Mylliem Marbaniang along with bypasses at 3rd Mile and 8th Mile, is currently undergoing blacktopping work. Although its original deadline was December 2025, officials now expect the work to be completed by the end of this month, depending on the final shifting of GSWSS water pipelines.
The 90-kilometre Shillong–Dawki road project, estimated at ₹1,377.5 crore and funded by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency, has faced repeated delays over the years but remains a key infrastructure initiative for the region.-----------
Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash
