In a bid to build world class road network in the entire north eastern region, the Centre has sanctioned ₹1,90,000 crore for road projects spanning over 12,000 km, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said, reiterating that infrastructure development in the region has always been a priority of the government of the day. In return the Centre seeks the cooperation of state governments for land acquisition, forest clearances and in resolving encroachment concerns. During his recent visit to review road and highway projects in the eight north-east states, he urged the state governments in the region to regularly monitor the progress of the road infrastructure projects, which are being built by the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited. Additionally, ₹7,000 crore has been approved for road works under National Highway Authority of India. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has also sanctioned ₹17,257 crore for respective Public Works Department for construction of 2,421 km length of roads in these states, he claimed.
