Gavin Miguel Mylliem, MLA Sohra Constituency, inaugurated the Mawkdok Khatarshnong Road in a function organized by the Office of Public Works Department at Khrang village on Saturday, the 30th of January 2021. T. G. Nengnong, Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, PWD (R& B), P.S. Tynsong, BDO Laitkroh Khatarshnong C&RD Block, Freeman Syiem, Syiem of Hima Sohra, N. Shabong, Rangbah Shnong Khrang, S. Kyndiah, Superintending Engineer, PWD (R), K.B. Makdoh, EE, PWD (R), Sohra Sub-Division, Officers & staff form PWD Department and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
In his speech, Gavin M. Mylliem, expressed his gratitude to the Officers and staff of PWD for their efforts in bringing the road connectivity to the region. The completion of the road has eased the travel and communication for the people residing in these areas tremendously. He says that the road will go a long way in improving the economy and overall development of the region. He said that he, along with the people of the region, are filled with immense joy on this auspicious day as he believes that the people had for a long time, yearned and waited for proper road connectivity to the region which has been finally fulfilled with the inauguration of the road. He stated that road connectivity is the backbone for the overall development of any place. Earlier Gavin M. Mylliem unveiled the inaugural stone of the road at Warwar.
The road from Mawkdok to Khatarshnong is one of the longest stretches in the Sohra Sub-Division area. The total length of the Road from Mawkdok to Khrang is approximately 25 km. It is also one of the oldest roads in the state. The construction work on the road had started even before Meghalaya achieved its statehood. This road is an important link as it connects a number of villages in the area like Swer, Mawrah, Mawthawtieng, Kshaid, Warwar, Khrang, Kongthong, Mawshuit and other surrounding villages. This holds significance as these areas produce a lot of agricultural products like bay leaves, broomstick, ginger and others, and the road would ease the transportation of these goods to the markets. Blacktopping of the road had began in previous years under the State Plan Fund and RIDF however the project could not be completed till Khrang. It was only in the year 2018-19 that the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways under the Central Road Fund Scheme had sanctioned an amount of Rs. 365 lakhs for Blacktopping and improvement of the remaining 5 kms of the road.
Officials from the PWD Department also informed that the 1.81 km road to Kshaid under PMGSY has been completed. Further, they informed that the Blacktopping of the road to Kongthong will be completed in February.