SHILLONG, June 21: In a significant push for regional connectivity and border infrastructure, the Meghalaya Government has approached Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh seeking support for a road link connecting Ranikor in South West Khasi Hills district with Ratacherra on the border of Assam’s Barak Valley. The State has also urged the Centre to declare the proposed Ranikor-Ratacherra stretch a strategic road, arguing that the corridor is critical not only for economic development and civilian movement but also for national security along the India-Bangladesh border.
The proposal was raised by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma during his interaction with the Defence Minister on Sunday. The corridor is being viewed as a crucial missing link in an emerging connectivity network that would connect western Meghalaya to the Barak Valley through a series of national highway projects, enhancing interstate mobility and strengthening strategic access across the region.
The Chief Minister said the Defence Minister responded positively to the request and indicated that the proposal would receive serious consideration.
“More importantly, Today, I have taken up a very important subject, which is the connectivity from Ranikor upto Ratecherra and as you’re aware that we share a very long important border with Bangladesh and the road connectivity from Ranikor to Dalu in different phases and different projects has already been established. Dalu will further connect to (NH217) will further connect to the NH127B which will then connect to the Phulbari Dhubri bridge. So, if you look at all of these, this is a very important link that will take us all the way to Silchar, and therefore the gap that is there in between, is the Ratacherra Ranikor gap, and we have requested defense ministry, if this could be declared as a strategic road because it’s not just for economic purpose or for the public and civilian purpose, but also a very strategic connectivity, which is required for ensuring the security of the nation. So I have requested defence Minister to consider that to declare this as a strategic road which he has accepted it, and ask me to reach him again and he has he will look into the matter in a very very positive way.”
The proposed road is expected to serve as a vital strategic and economic corridor by linking existing and upcoming highway infrastructure across Meghalaya and Assam. Once completed, it would help bridge the remaining connectivity gap between Ranikor and Ratacherra, creating a more direct route towards Silchar and other parts of the Barak Valley while improving access to border areas.
The Chief Minister also discussed a range of infrastructure projects requiring cooperation from the armed forces and the Defence Ministry, particularly in and around Shillong where defence establishments occupy substantial land and play an important role in facilitating major public works.
Speaking on the discussions, Sangma said, “I had a brief interaction with defence Minister, as you are aware that defense forces have a very important setups in the whole of Shillong City and around Shillong and there are multiple infrastructural projects that need the support of the armed forces, and therefore we have requested defense minister to help State government in order to achieve those goals. Whether it is the airport expansion, where we are getting full support from the defense ministry, Or it is the four laning of the Shillong City from Rilbong to Barik Point, where again the defence Minister has already shown his full support for that, and details are been worked out the officials and the Army.”
