Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 27 highway projects in Assam. These projects have road length of nearly 439 km, involving construction value of Rs 2,366 crore. Addressing an event in Assam, Gadkari said funds worth Rs 2,104 crore were approved for 174 projects under CRIF (Central Road and Infrastructure Fund) for the state, out of which Rs 1,177 crore have been released till now.
Gadkari announced enhancement in the NHO (National Highways Original) amount for Assam from Rs 1,213 crore to Rs 2,578 crore for the current financial year. He reportedly conveyed that road and infrastructure work worth Rs 85,000 crore will be taken up in the state. Works for a sum of Rs 14,000 crore will be awarded in 2021, while DPR (detailed project report) is being made for another Rs 26,000 crore worth projects. He said 217 km of roads were completed in the state during 2020 at a cost of Rs 1,102 crore. 19 projects of 295 km length, worth Rs 13,620 crore, were awarded this year. DPRs are under preparation for 20 projects of 845 km length worth Rs 25,700 crore. Gadkari also announced the construction of a multi-modal logistic park (MMLP) in Silchar.
The Minister also announced that construction of Dhuvri-Phoolbari bridge will begin in the coming month. He said, a sum of Rs 4,497 crore will be spent on this 19 km bridge. The DPR is ready and the tender has been floated for the 6.75 km Majuli bridge, which is part of the 131 km long Majuli project worth Rs 900 crore, add reports.