"Nitin Gadkari Inaugurates Foundation Stones for 26 National Highway Projects"

Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari, in the presence of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, marked a significant milestone recently by either laying the foundation stones or dedicating to the nation a total of 26 national highway projects. These projects collectively represent an investment of Rs. 17,500 crore.

Among the foundation stones laid by the Union Minister were those for the 4-laning/2-laning with paved shoulder of the Tinsukia-Makum bypass, with a project cost of Rs. 459 crore, and the 2-laning with paved shoulder of Bogapani to Golai Gaon with Digboi bypass, totaling Rs. 357 crore. Additionally, the 2-laning with paved shoulder of Golai Gaon to Ledo with Margherita-Ledo bypass, with a project cost of Rs. 643 crore, and the 4-laning of Kandulijan Gaon – Simen Chapori road, with an estimated cost of Rs. 609 crore, were part of this ambitious initiative. The 4-laning of Simen Chapori – Nagabang Gamsuk road, involving an investment of Rs. 562 crore, was also among the projects laid out.

Furthermore, the Union Road Transport Minister dedicated to the nation the 4-laning of Kaliabor Tiniali – Dolabari road, including the construction of a new 2-lane bridge over the river Brahmaputra on National Highway 715 at a cost of Rs. 837 crore. He also inaugurated the 4-laning of Dokmoka – Loring Thepi road on NH-29, which comes at a cost of Rs. 266 crore, and the 2-laning of Powamara to Bataia, Trinokhal to Mundamala, and Lowarpuwa to Churaibari on NH-8, with an estimated expense of Rs. 167 crore. Additionally, the strengthening of the Numaligarh – Khatkhati road on NH-129, with a budget of Rs. 146 crore, was officially inaugurated.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma commended Union Road Transport Minister Gadkari for his focus on enhancing the road infrastructure in Assam and lauded the unprecedented launch of numerous road projects on a single day in the state's history. Sarma urged Gadkari to take the necessary steps to realize the proposed ring-road in Guwahati, to which Gadkari expressed his in-principle approval.

Sarma also made a request for the construction of a 32-km long elevated corridor at Kaziranga to reduce wildlife fatalities, and Gadkari assured that the elevated corridor would soon become a reality, with a detailed project report in the works.

Sarma expressed optimism that necessary measures would 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. He also appealed to Union Minister Gadkari to consider the demand for 4-laning of the national highway section between Baihata Chariali to Tezpur.

The Chief Minister further appealed to the Union Road Transport Minister to allocate Rs. 500 crore from the central fund for projects under the Asom Mala scheme. Gadkari responded by announcing that an amount of Rs. 600 crore had been approved, an increase of Rs. 100 crore over the requested amount.

Sarma noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's special commitment to the Northeast has led to significant progress in the region on multiple fronts in recent years.

ET