
The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has floated tenders for the widening of the NH-40 starting from Shillong to Tamabil linking Meghalaya with Bangladesh. Meghalaya Deputy CM, Prestone Tynsong informed that the road project, which is being funded by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency, involves an investment of ₹1,251 crore and it involves four packages, each package of the tender will cost not less than ₹120 crore. The 71 km long NH-40 will be converted into four-lane for about 15 km from Umshyrpi Bridge in Shillong to Bañiun at the 7th Miles, Upper Shillong. The project has to be completed in two-and-half years from the date of the allotment of work. The widening includes the construction of a new bridge over Umngot River at Dawki as the existing single-lane 136-metre suspension bridge is old and unable to support heavy load vehicles. The new bridge will be of 368 metres length and 12.5 metres width and will be built upward of the existing bridge.