New Delhi: In a bid to boost infrastructure in North Eastern states, the government on Friday may approve three important highway projects in Assam under Special Accelerated Road Development Programme (SARDP) for which it has planned Rs 33,688 crore projects by 2016.
“The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) may consider three highway projects in Assam, part of Rs 33,688 crore projects under SARDP,” a source said.
The projects include widening of Numaligarh to Jorhat section from 403.2 km to 454.36 km, Jorhat-Demow section from 454.36 km to 534.8 km and Demow to Bogibil junction from 534.8 km to 580.77 km on National Highways 37, sources said.
All three projects are under SARDP in North Eastern Region phase A on build, operate and transfer (BOT) annuity basis.
The government has set a target to complete Rs 33,688 crore projects under SARDP by June 2016 to improve infrastructure in the country’s North Eastern region.
So far, about 1,180 km have been completed under SARDP, as per the Road Ministry, which has set a target to award projects in a total length of about 2,000 km and achieve completion in 550 km length during 2013-14.
The programme envisages providing road connectivity to all the district headquarters in the north eastern region by minimum 2-lane highway standards apart from providing road connectivity to backward and remote areas, areas of strategic importance and neighbouring countries.
Road Transport and Highways Minister Oscar Fernandes and Secretary Vijay Chhiber had last month reviewed the progress of projects in presence of Chief Ministers of the states.
The developments come in the wake of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reviewing infrastructure projects in the North East Region in a meeting held on July 18. An Empowered Group of Ministers and a committee under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary have also been constituted to quickly find solutions for outstanding issues impeding the progress of projects. (PTI)
