Shillong: Meghalaya is pushing the Union Defence Ministry to grant strategic status to the Ranikor-Dalu road project. By reclassifying this vital stretch, the state hopes to shift responsibility from civilian agencies to the Border Roads Organization. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma met with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday to discuss the plan, which aims to resolve the administrative hurdles that have stalled this essential infrastructure development.
The route serves as a missing link within the state's Southern Corridor. It connects the South West Khasi Hills to the Dalu international trade hub in West Garo Hills. Completing this work would create a direct path between National Highway 217 and the Phulbari-Dhubri bridge. This connection is expected to turn the remote border area into a bustling transit point for commerce with Bangladesh.
Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari previously noted that the Defence Ministry must lead the project because of its importance to national security and border infrastructure. While Singh has agreed to review the proposal, the project is still in its early stages. Regarding broader development efforts, the state is also negotiating with the Army to acquire land for the expansion of Shillong Airport and the four-laning of the road from Rilbong to Barik Point. Sangma noted that while “details are being worked out” with local authorities, a final agreement for the military to release the land is pending.
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