Nitin Guwahati

Guwahati, Oct 31: Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari marked a significant milestone in Assam as he inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 26 National Highway Projects with an investment of over 17,500 crore during a ceremony in Guwahati.

The event was graced by the presence of Union Minister General VK Singh, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, along with other MPs and ministers, making it a momentous occasion for the region.

The projects inaugurated and for which foundation stones were laid include several key initiatives aimed at enhancing transportation, connectivity, and socio-economic development in the northeastern state. Notable among them are:

  1. Four-laning of the Kaliabor Tinali-Dolabari, which includes the construction of a new two-lane bridge over the Brahmaputra River, with an investment of Rs 837 crore.
  2. Four-laning of the Dokmoka-Loring Thepi, amounting to Rs 266 crore.
  3. Two-laning of Powamara to Bataia, Trinokhal to Mundamala, and Lowarpuwa to Churaibari, totaling Rs 167 crore.
  4. Strengthening of the Numaligarh Khatkhati Road, with an investment of Rs 146 crore.

Additionally, foundation stones were laid for 22 projects, collectively worth Rs 16,128 crores. These projects are strategically designed to improve interstate connectivity, promote trade, tourism, and stimulate socio-economic growth in the region.

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Some of the significant projects include:

  • Dibrugarh-Tinsukia-Ledo project, enhancing connectivity between Upper Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Silchar to Lailapur section, connecting the Barak Valley with Mizoram.
  • National Highway No 515 in Dhemaji District, improving connectivity between North Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

These infrastructure initiatives aim to address the challenges of congestion, provide alternate routes, and promote multi-modal logistics parks in the region, fostering trade, tourism, and socio-economic development.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari emphasized the importance of these projects, stating that they would enhance connectivity in the Dima Hasao Region and open up an alternate route to Western Manipur. Additionally, the construction of new bridges will alleviate congestion and significantly enhance trade, tourism, and socio-economic progress in the region.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted the remarkable infrastructure developments in the state, underscoring the government’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and decongesting urban centers. He also acknowledged the vital role that Assam plays as a hub for intra-Northeast connectivity.

Before the official event, Nitin Gadkari held a comprehensive review meeting for all ongoing National Highway projects in the northeastern region. The meeting included Union MoS General Shri VK Singh, Chief Ministers from the northeastern states, and NHIDCL stakeholders.

Gadkari disclosed that nearly Rs 3 lakh crore worth of national highway projects have been sanctioned over the past decade, leading to a substantial 45% increase in the length of National Highways in the Northeastern region.

However, he also expressed concerns regarding land acquisition issues in some northeastern states, such as Nagaland and Meghalaya. Gadkari stressed the urgency of resolving these issues to prevent project closures in the region.