Work On 27 Highway Projects In Assam Gets Going

Aiming at improving connectivity at the borders and easing the transportation of commercial goods across Assam, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 27 highway projects in the state.

These projects carry a road length of nearly 439 kilometers, involving construction value of Rs 2,366 crore. These projects are expected to enhance employment opportunities, save time and fuel, improve tourism and infrastructure development, and will result in providing connectivity for agricultural produce up to larger markets.

Speaking on the occasion, Gadkari assured the State government of his full support in developing the National Highway network in Assam as the state has a special place in his heart.

The Minister said Rs 2,104 crore was approved for 174 projects under CRIF for the State, out of which Rs 1,177 crore has been released till now.

He announced a sum of Rs 221 crore under CRIF for the current year, against the annual accrual of Rs 139 crore only. Gadkari also announced enhancement in the amount for Assam from Rs 1,213 crore to Rs 2,578 crore for the current financial year.

This was welcomed by the crowd with a thunderous applause.

The Minister informed that road and infrastructure works worth Rs 85,000 crore will be taken up in the State. Works for a sum of Rs 14,000 crore will be awarded in 2021, while DPRs are being made for another Rs 26,000 crore worth of projects.

He informed that 217 km of roadworks was completed in the State during 2020 at a cost of Rs 1,102 crore, while 357 kms worth Rs 2,511 crore will be completed in the coming year.

As many as 19 projects of 295 km length worth Rs 13,620 crore were awarded this year, while DPRs are under preparation for 20 projects of 845 km road length worth Rs 25,700 crore, he said.

Gadkari announced the construction of a multi modal logistic park (MMLP) in Silchar. This will be the second MMLP in Assam after the one being made in Jogighopa.

The State government will provide 200 bighas of land in Harinachra village along the Barak river. This will benefit the people by way of development of roads and waterways.

The Minister also announced that construction of Dhubri-Phulbari bridge will begin in the coming month. He said a sum of Rs 4,497 crore will be spent on this 19-km bridge. This will reduce the distance between these two places in Assam and Meghalaya by 203 km.

He informed that he was requesting the Prime Minister to lay its foundation stone in the next 15 days. He further said that the DPR was ready and the tender has been floated for the 6.75 km Majuli bridge, which is part of the 131-km-long Majuli project worth Rs 900 crore.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal promised to take forward all the suggestions given by the Union Minister. He said his government was committed to development of the State, and uplifting the lifestyle of its people.

He said he was working in cooperation with the Centre to achieve his government's targets.

Gadkari also unveiled a life-size bronze statue of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the occasion.