<span style="color: #222222;">In a significant milestone for the development of the New Shillong Township, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma laid the foundation for three crucial road infrastructures today. The event marks a pivotal step forward in the ambitious project that aims to enhance connectivity and foster sustainable urban growth in the region.<br />''<br />''While addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said, it is not only about the New Shillong City that needs to be better, but we need to make the current Shillong City better even while we work on making the New Shillong City outside and away from the current Shillong city. He added that the decongestion will allow us to not only have a new infrastructure outside but also improve Shillong City as it is today.<br />''<br />''The Chief Minister also stated that the ongoing Smart City project, existing and new road infrastructures, and the construction of a new Secretariat, represent a substantial investment exceeding 2000  crore rupees.<br />''Stating that the State is growing in a fast-paced manner, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said, "A planned city is set to develop within the next three years.<br />''<br />''The projects highlighted through the foundation stone laying ceremony, involve constructing a road from Lumshyiap Bellafonte to New Shillong Township at Umsawli via Mawpat to improve connectivity and transportation. The proposed new road includes a cycle track, footpath with CC drain cum Utility Duct, carefully chosen for optimal accessibility and minimal environmental impact. The main goal is to ease traffic congestion on the existing Shillong Diengpasoh Road, connecting Shillong to New Shillong Township via Nongmynsong and Itshyrwat junction. With an investment of over 49 crore rupees, the new road aims to provide an alternative route, accommodating increasing vehicle volume, enhancing accessibility to key areas, and improving overall connectivity in the region.<br />''<br />''The second significant initiative involves the construction, including metalling and blacktopping, of the road from Bribah Mawpat to IAS Colony Umsawli, incorporating advanced technology for sustained durability and efficiency. The proposed lane is an intermediate lane standard of 5.5m carriageway width with an investment of 21 crore rupees.<br />''<br />''Thirdly, the ongoing commitment to enhancing road infrastructure is evident in the Shillong Diengpasoh Road. The current 14 km stretch is undergoing improvement, widening to a 2-lane standard, now spanning 21.20 km for a more accessible and secure travel experience, with an investment of over 55 crore rupees. This upgrade is crucial as the road serves as a vital exit from Shillong, connecting key institutions like NEIGRIHMS (Northeastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences, NEIAH (Northeastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homeopathy), NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology) Shillong, and the new assembly building of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. The existing single-lane road struggles with increasing traffic volume, resulting in peak-hour congestion.<br />''<br />''Secretary, Urban Affairs Department, Ethelbert Kharmalki gave a presentation on the inauguration of the New Shillong Township road.<br />''<br />''The event saw the esteemed presence of the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K Sangma, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister in charge of PWD (Roads), Shri Prestone Tynsong, Commissioner & Secretary PWD (Roads & Buildings), Syed Md. A. Razi, IRTS, Secretary, Urban Affairs Department, Ethelbert Kharmalki, Secretary to Government of Meghalaya PWD (Roads & Buildings) KK Mawa, and Chief Engineer, PWD, Dawhoi Langstang.</span><br />