Aizawl: Mizoram’s lone Lok Sabha MP Richard Vanlalhmangaiha and two ZPM legislators have urged the Centre to expedite approval of key road and bridge projects, saying they are crucial to improving connectivity, easing traffic congestion and addressing infrastructure gaps in the state.The delegation, comprising Vanlalhmangaiha, PWD minister’s adviser T Lalhlimpuia and MLA Lt Col Clement Lalhmingthanga, met Union minister of state for road transport and highways Ajay Tamta in New Delhi on Friday.Vanlalhmangaiha sought early sanction of a Rs 99.78-crore proposal for rehabilitation and strengthening of NH-306A between km 45 and km 102. He also requested approval for permanent bridges over the Langkai river at km 14.618 and Teirei river at km 84.378 on NH-108, saying the Mizoram PWD resubmitted the DPRs on June 9.He said the bridges were vital for safe and uninterrupted connectivity between Mizoram and Tripura. The Teirei crossing, he pointed out, is an ageing Bailey bridge vulnerable during monsoon, while there is currently no bridge over the Langkai river .Lalhlimpuia urged approval for the Rs 213.60-crore, 28.6-km Lunglei Western Bypass, saying it would ease congestion in Lunglei and improve access to Lawngtlai, Siaha, Tlabung and the Kaladan project. The delegation also sought Rs 110.49 lakh for improving a temporary diversion at Theiriat, where NH-302 widening triggered landslides.Tamta assured the delegation that he would examine the proposals and facilitate approvals.
