Assam gets Rs. 1 lakh-cr infra projects

In order to build world class transport infrastructure in the state, the Union government has set aside a staggering sum worth Rs. 1 lakh-cr to be invested in Assam, road transport, highways and shipping minister Nitin Gadkari said, elaborating that several issues related to improvement of transport communication in the state were recently discussed with the state chief minister recently. On this score, the Union government will increase the central roads fund to Rs 800-cr from earlier sanctioned limit of Rs 450-cr and also directed the state government to identify 1,200 km of new stretch of road for converting the same into National Highways (NH). Among other projects, he also approved Sivsagar-Desangmukh-Tekeliphuta-Dhakuakhana-North Lakhimpur-Majuli-Jorhat road project and another project for relieving traffic congestion on Guwahati by-pass. That apart, the Centre has also committed to construct a new 4-lane road from Changsari to Kuruwa along the northern bank of river Brahmaputra with a 6-lane bridge over the river between Kuruwa and Narengi which can be connected thereafter to the East West Corridor near Khanapara point in Kamrup district.

He has also directed the NHIDCL to explore the scope for a project report for 4-laning of East West corridor covering 62 km long vulnerable stretch in Dima Hasao district. Other projects getting approvals included development of NH-36, strengthening stretches from Agomoni to Golokganj, Gauripur to Panbari and Bangalipara on Bilasipara by-pass to Tillapara covering 63 km on NH-31, Solmari-Goalpara road, work of Ratachera-Churaibari section of NH-44 and work for flood prone Samarajan area of NH-52. The Centre has also sanctioned Rs 30-cr for installation of solar LED lights in the 9-km long Dhola-Sadia bridge,which is to be inaugurated soon. He has also approved the proposal for construction of flyovers at Basistha Chariali on NH-37 in Guwahati, Pathsala on NH-31, Simaluguri on NH-31, BCPL junction in Dibrugarh, Dhaligaon on NH-31 and Amolapatthy in Dibrugarh amounting to Rs 200-cr each.