GUWAHATI: Assam is on the brink of a significant transformation in its road infrastructure as Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, assured the state to lay the foundation stones for projects totalling an impressive Rs 25,000 crore in January 2024.
“During my upcoming visit to Assam in the first week of January, I intend to lay the foundation stones for projects worth Rs 25,000 crore,” the Union Minister announced on Tuesday.
Speaking at the Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati, he also greenlit a slew of projects, informing about the progress of a few. The projects include a ring road in Guwahati, a ropeway connecting Kamakhaya Temple to the railway station, an underwater tunnel linking Numaligarh to Gohpur, and an elevated corridor within Kaziranga National Park.
“I have approved the Kamakhaya ropeway and have instructed the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for the underwater tunnel from Numaligarh to Gohpur.
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Of particular significance is the underwater tunnel project, connecting Numaligarh to Gohpur, which is estimated to cost Rs 12,000 crores. This groundbreaking project will be the country’s first rail-road underwater tunnel.
Gadkari shared, “When Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma first brought up the proposal for the underwater tunnel, I sought an internationally reputed company to oversee the construction. Following the tender process, we selected Louis Berger, an American construction company, to build the tunnel.”
The elevated corridor within Kaziranga National Park has also received attention, with Gadkari instructing NHAI to prepare the DPR for this project.
Another significant project is the proposed ring road encircling Guwahati, with expected routes through Baihata Chariali, Kurua, Chandrapur, and Sonapur. Gadkari expressed his desire for Chief Minister Sarma to develop various economic infrastructure along this road.
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“In Chhattisgarh, a new capital has been built. I have asked Chief Minister Sarma to make a similar on in Guwahati. The ring road will curb pollution in Guwahati and make it less-congested,” he highlighted.
Chief Minister Sarma highlighted the economic benefits of the Guwahati 6-lane Ring Road, which is anticipated to cost Rs 8,000 crore. He stated, “Union Minister Gadkari has assured us that the Jorhat-Dibrugarh highway will be completed by June 2024, and the Nagaon-Gohpur highway will be complete by February.”
Additionally, Gadkari allocated Rs 600 crore from the Central Road Fund and another Rs 200 crore under the Setu Bandhan Yogjana for Assam, demonstrating the central government’s commitment to improving transportation infrastructure in the state.
