The extension will bypass the Umiam Dam, easing the traffic bottleneck caused by restrictions on large vehicles and heavy traffic along the current route
GUWAHATI: The central government has approved an extension of the four-lane road from Meghalaya’s Umiam to Shillong. This was revealed by the state’s Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prestone Tynsong on Friday, January 17, after reviewing ongoing road projects.
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Tynsong stated that discussions with consultants to finalise the road alignment will commence soon. The extension will bypass the Umiam Dam, easing the traffic bottleneck caused by restrictions on large vehicles and heavy traffic along the current route. "This project is set to reduce travel time and enhance connectivity between the two regions," he stated.
At present, the four-lane road connects Guwahati to Umiam, while the stretch to Shillong remains a major hurdle for commuters.
Although the Centre has deferred plans to upgrade the Umiam-Jorabat stretch to six lanes, it is currently prioritising the Guwahati-Nagaon four-lane expansion in Assam and the proposed high-speed corridor from Umiam to Ratacherra, a ₹25,000-crore Greenfield project.
This high-speed corridor will bypass villages and the Shillong Bypass, improving travel convenience and minimising disruptions.