Shillong witnessed a significant milestone in infrastructure development as Meghalaya’s Deputy Chief Minister Preston Tinsong announced the distribution of over ₹268 crore in land compensation for national highway projects in North Garo Hills and East Garo Hills districts.
Responding to a question in the state assembly on Thursday, Tinsong revealed that a total of 2,414 beneficiaries have received their dues. In North Garo Hills, 187 landowners were compensated with ₹43.96 lakh, while a substantial ₹225.13 crore was disbursed to 2,227 beneficiaries in East Garo Hills.
This compensation covers losses of land, homes, trees, and crops impacted by the highway expansions. The Deputy CM emphasized that the bulk of the compensation process is now complete, with responsibilities handed over to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to ensure smooth construction progress.
Assembly member Rupert Momin from Kharkutta raised concerns about exclusions, noting that while many beneficiaries have used the funds to buy new land or build homes, some families with valid documents remain off the list. Tinsong assured that 93-94% of the process is finalized, with only a handful of cases pending in North Garo Hills—three under arbitration and one due to landowner disputes.
He encouraged dissatisfied landowners to file petitions, promising resolution through notified arbitrators as per established rules. This development underscores Meghalaya’s commitment to balancing infrastructure growth with fair landowner compensation, paving the way for enhanced connectivity in the Garo Hills region.