The Central Government led by PM Narendra Modi has approved a substantial Rs 2,000 crore for the second phase of the Meghalaya Integrated Transport Project or MiTP, in partnership with the World Bank.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma recently expressed his gratitude on X, stating, “Thankful to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for sanctioning Rs 2,000 crore for the MiTP Phase 2 project with the World Bank. We will now focus on key roads and continue the positive progress from Phase 1.”
Earlier in July, the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) Government decided to cancel the initial phase of the smart city road project due to feasibility concerns. Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar announced this decision on July 12.
The government is now formulating a new proposal, using State funds, to enhance critical city roads instead of the previously planned smart roads. This shift followed a review meeting between the Deputy Chief Minister and the Public Works Department (Roads), which highlighted the challenges faced in executing the original project.
The smart road initiative, which aimed to complete 17 road projects across the State, had achieved only 3 to 4 per cent progress before being halted. One of the halted projects was located in the Lachaumiere area.
