GUWAHATI: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari will be on a two-day visit to Shillong from September 24 for an extensive review of national highway projects in the seven northeastern states, informed an official press statement.
National highway projects worth more than Rs 1.5 lakh crore are currently under way in the seven north eastern states and Gadkari will review the status of each project in the presence of chief ministers, PWD ministers, officials of road transport and highways ministry, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) and project contractors.
In addition to the review, Gadkari will also dedicate to the nation the 102 km Jowai-Ratacherra section of NH-6 in Meghalaya at an event at the State Convention Centre in Shillong on September 24.Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma will preside over the function.
The NH project, constructed at a cost of Rs 683 crore, will reduce travel time between Jowai and Ratacherra to 2.5 hours from four hours. The highway passes through the coal and cement producing belt and is a lifeline for the landlocked states of the North East.
Improved connectivity will foster economic growth in Barak Valley and the surrounding areas, open up employment opportunities and improve overall living conditions in the region.
The newly developed highway will have two toll plazas, 17 bus shelters, two highway patrols and two ambulances, besides two wayside amenities.
