Assam: Centre to invest Rs 1 lakh crore to boost road, inland water transport

Road and inland water communication in Assam is set to improve in the wake of the Centre deciding to invest nearly Rs one lakh crore to improve connectivity. Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari announced this while discussing several issues related to improvement of transport communication with Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in New Delhi.

An official release said Gadkari announced plans to increase the Central Roads Fund to Rs 800 crore from earlier sanctioned limit of Rs 450 crore. He has also asked the state government to identify 1200-kilomters of new stretch of road for converting the same into national highways. Gadkari approved Sivsagar-Desangmukh-Tekeliphuta-Dhakuakhana-North Lakhimpur-Majuli-Jorhat road project and another project for relieving traffic congestion on Guwahati by-pass by constructing new 4-lane road from Changsari to Kuruwa along the Northern Bank of Brahmaputra with a 6-lane bridge over Brahmaputra between Kuruwa and Narengi. He has directed officials to explore the scope for an alternative alignment and prepare DPR for 4-laning of East West corridor covering 62-kilometer-long vulnerable stretch in Dima Hasao District.

Gadkari has also approved projects for development of National Highway-36, strengthening stretches from Agomoni to Golokganj, Gauripur to Panbari and Bangalipara on Bilasipara among others. He also sanctioned Rs 30 crore for installation of solar LED Light in the Dhola-Sadia Bridge which is to be inaugurated soon. The minister approved the proposal for construction of flyovers at several areas.