70k crore projects approved for road infrastructure in North East East

• Rs. 70k crore projects approved with Rs 50k crore for Assam alone
• Roads in Assam and NE to sport international standards in near future

IndiGlobal Bureau

Road infrastructure is set to get a major boost in Assam and other North Eastern States courtesy of Centre’s approval for nearly Rs 70,000 crore worth of National Highway projects in the region. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari made this announcement in Guwahati after a high-level review meeting with Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and senior officials of the respective States.

Addressing media in Guwahati on Wednesday, Gadkari said new projects worth Rs 50,000 crore rupees for Assam, 9,000 crore rupees for Meghalaya, 5,000 crore rupees for Nagaland and 4,000 crore rupees for Sikkim have been approved. He also announced several infrastructure development projects for Assam. The Minister is on a three-day visit to North Eastern region to review national highway projects and road infrastructure in the eight states.

Further, Union Minister said road infrastructure in Assam will be developed at par with international standards. Thanking Gadkari for announcing various projects to boost road connectivity in Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma shared additional details. Guwahati Ring Road and Narangi-Kurua bridge over Brahmaputra, 38-km elevated Kaziranga corridor, Jorhat-Majuli bridge, 6-lane Khanapura-Jorabat road and Khanapura-LGBI Airport ropeway will be built with Centre’s funding.

Earlier Gadkari lauded Assam Chief Minister for his prompt efforts in expediting land acquisition process for road infrastructure in the State.

The Minister stressed upon the importance of coordination and partnership between Central and State agencies for smooth completion of projects on time.

Discussions were held on land acquisition issues, progress of ongoing projects, proposed projects, use of new technologies, disputes and arbitration and possible financial interventions. Gadkari also reviewed the pending projects in the four States-Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Nagaland and gave specific instructions to expedite them.