Shillong, March 17: The World Bank funded Shella bridge over Umiam is being taken on a priority basis, deputy chief minister in-charge PWD(roads) Prestone Tynsong said in the Assembly on Thursday.
The preparation of documents for implementation under Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) mode of contract is under process by the World Bank, Tynsong said in response to a question raised by Shella legislator Balajied Kupar Synrem in the Assembly.
The bridge is under the Meghalaya Integrated Transport Project (MITP) of the World Bank.
“Construction of the bridge is very important, no doubt. Therefore, the state government and the PWD are in touch with the World Bank so once the detailed project report (DPR) is completed, I am very sure sanction will also be accorded simultaneously,” Tynsong said.
Before floating the tender, there was a problem because of the non-availability of land.
“Due to that again we had to change the alignment and it was shifted downstream from the existing proposal”, he said.
The original DPR was estimated at Rs 20.49 crore but due to change of alignment, the World Bank is undertaking the documentation of EPC, he said.
“Once the documentation is over then the successful bidder will again go for DPR and technical survey and thereafter they will submit the DPR to the World Bank for the necessary sanction,” he said.
Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma wanted to know the targeted timeline for taking up projects under the MIT.
In reply, Tynsong said the projects worth Rs 800 crore started in 2021 and it will end in 2026.
13 projects are already in progress and for the remaining 8 projects, DPRs have been submitted.
