Guwahati: The Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation stones for the four and two lanes with paved shoulders of the Tinsukia-Makum bypass with a project cost of Rs. 459 crores, the two lanes with paved shoulder of Bogapani to Golai Gaon with Digboi bypass at a project cost of Rs. 357 crores, the two-lane with paved shoulder of Golai Gaon to Ledo with Margherita-Ledo bypass at a project cost of Rs. 643 crore, four-lane of Kandulijan Gaon – Simen Chapori road at a projected cost of Rs. 609 crore, four-lane of Simen Chapori – Nagabang Gamsuk road at a projected cost of Rs 562 crore, among others.
Union Road Transport Minister dedicated to the nation’s 4-lane of highway in Kaliabor Tiniali – Dolabari road including the construction of new 2-lane bridge over the river Brahmaputra on National Highway 715 at a cost of Rs 837 crore, four-laning of Dokmoka – Loring Thepi road on NH-29 at a cost of Rs 266 crore, 2 – laning of Powamara to Bataia, Trinokhal to Mundamala & Lowarpuwa to Churaibari on NH-8 at a cost of Rs. 167 crore and the strengthening of Numaligarh – Khatkhati road on NH-129 at a cost of Rs 146 crore.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Gadkari said that the Dibrugarh-Tinsukia-Ledo project aims to enhance interstate connectivity between Upper Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, boost strategic presence, and promote trade and tourism. The Silchar to Lailapur section will connect the Barak Valley with Mizoram, fostering socio-economic growth. NH-515 in Dhemaji District will improve connectivity between North Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. He further added that, “Under the leadership of the Hon’ble PM, Narendra Modi, these projects underscore the commitment to delivering world-class highway infrastructure to the northeast and accelerating its economic and tourism growth.”
Lauding the role of Union Road Transport Minister Gadkari in focusing on the road infrastructure of Assam, Chief Minister Sarma said launch of so many road projects on a single day was unprecedented in the history of the State. CM Sarma made an appeal to the Union Road Transport Minister to take necessary measures to make the proposed ring-road in Guwahati a reality, which Gadkari, in his speech, said the same has his in-principle approval.
CM Sarma also requested the Union Road Transport Minister to construct a 32-km-long elevated corridor at Kaziranga aimed at reducing the number of fatalities among wild animals. Union Minister Gadkari in his speech said the elevated corridor would become a reality soon and a detailed project report would be prepared for the same.
Chief Minister Sarma expressed hope that necessary steps will be taken to expedite the construction of a tunnel under river Brahmaputra, connecting Gohpur in the North bank with Numaligarh in the South bank. CM Sarma appealed to Union Minister Gadkari to look into the demand for 4-laning of the national highway section between Baihata Chariali to Tezpur.
The Chief Minister also appealed to the Union Road Transport Minister to allocate Rs. 500 crore from central fund for works being undertaken under Asom Mala scheme, to which Gadkari announced that an amount of Rs. 600 crore has been approved, an increase of Rs. 100 crore over the demanded amount.
CM Sarma said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a special place for the Northeast in his heart and this has resulted in the region making progresses on multiple fronts for the past few years.
Today’s event was also attended by Union Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways General (Retired) V.K. Singh, many ministers of the Assam Cabinet, Members of Parliament, Chief Executive Member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, Chief Executive of Dima Hasao Autonomous Council, senior officials of Union Road Transport Ministry, and the National Highway Authority of India, among others.
