The union minister for roads transport and highways Nitin Gadkari inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 26 national highway projects for Assam with an investment of more than Rs 17,500 crore in Guwahati on October 31.
General VK Singh, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, state cabinet ministers, MPs, MLAs, and NHIDCL officials were also present on the occasion.
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.
NH-137 will enhance connectivity in the Dima Hasao Region and provide an alternate route to Western Manipur. The Paikan to Guwahati Airport section will facilitate the Multi-Modal Logistics Park in Jogighopa. Additionally, the construction of new bridges will alleviate congestion and enhance trade, tourism, and socio-economic progress in the region.
Lauding the role of the union road transport minister Gadkari for focusing on the road infrastructure of Assam chief minister Sarma said the launch of so many road projects on a single day was unprecedented in the history of the state.
Himanta Biswa Sarma appealed to the union road transport minister to take necessary measures to make the proposed ring road in Guwahati a reality to which Gadkari, in his speech, said the same has his in-principle approval. Sarma also requested the construction of a 32-km long elevated corridor at Kaziranga aimed at reducing the number of fatalities among wild animals.
Gadkari in his speech said the elevated corridor would become a reality soon and a detailed project report shall be prepared for the same. Sarma expressed hope necessary steps will be taken to expedite the construction of a tunnel under the river Brahmaputra connecting Gohpur in the North bank with Numaligarh in the South bank. Chief minister Sarma appealed to union minister Gadkari to look into the demand for 4-laning of the national highway section between Baihata Chariali to Tezpur.
