Guwahati, Nov 24: In a move to bolster road connectivity in the Northeast, the Centre has approved a sum of Rs 2185.43 crore for two key projects in the region.
“In Assam, an allocation of Rs 1338.61 crore has been sanctioned for the widening of NH-17 into a four-lane road with paved shoulders, spanning from near Mowatari before Chapar Bypass to the Tulungia section of the Bilasipara-Guwahati corridor. Encompassing a total length of 26.82 kilometres, this project falls under Package 2,” Union minister of road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari informed on Friday.
“This road enhancement aims to augment connectivity between Bilasipara and Tulungia and forms an integral part of the Bilasipara-Guwahati corridor. It will facilitate improved access to western Assam and lower Assam via NH-27, fostering connectivity to neighbouring states such as Meghalaya and West Bengal,” Gadkari said.
“Additionally, an approval of Rs 846.82 crore has been granted for the widening and upgrade of the Tamenglong-Mahur section of NH-137 into two lanes with paved shoulders. Covering a total distance of 19.68 kilometers, this project is designated under Package 7 and will be executed in the EPC mode,” the minister said.
“This development is poised to enhance connectivity to Imphal from the East-West corridor in Assam via NH-27. It serves as an alternative route to the Imphal-Kohima section of NH-02 and the Silchar-Jiribam-Imphal section of NH-37, contributing significantly to regional connectivity and infrastructure advancement,” he added.
Lauding the Prime Minister and the Union road transport minister for the funds approval, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “Your sustained focus on our region has blossomed into record infra projects worth Rs 3 lakh crore for the entire Northeast since 2014. With these key projects sanctioned, it will take us closer to our goal of providing Assam with best in class roads.”