Union Minister of Road Transport Nitin Gadkari dedicated the upgraded section of National Highway 44 (NH-44), Mid Day has reported. Chief ministers of Tripura, Meghalaya and Tripura were also present at the event.
“The NH-44 (Jowai to Ratacherra at the Assam border) is important for the development of industries in Meghalaya," Gadkari said. The construction of the highway had begun in November 2015. The project incurred a total cost of Rs 683 crore and the stretch has three major and 44 minor bridges. The 102-kilometre stretch that was inaugurated also had a 143-metre tunnel.
Nitin Gadkari called for the early completion of highway projects in the north-east. The minister also reviewed infrastructure projects in the region during his visit to Shillong. National highway projects worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore are in progress in the north-eastern states. The Modi led National Democratic Alliance has given high importance to infrastructure projects in the north-east region.