HT Digital,
Guwahati, Oct 31: Union minister Nitin Gadkari stated on Tuesday that by the end of 2024, roads in the Northeastern region of India will be on par with those in the United States of America. He made this announcement in Guwahati while addressing the media at Hotel Radisson Blu. Gadkari, who is the minister of road transport and highways in India, is currently reviewing national highway projects in Assam and other northeastern states.
He informed that infrastructure development projects worth Rs 3 lakh crores, spanning over a total length of 17,470 kilometers, have been initiated in the Northeastern region. He also mentioned that local contractors, who have been performing well, will be considered for future tenders, thereby benefiting the regional contractors.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari praised the work of Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the state government. He revealed that the government had conducted a detailed review of all projects in Assam, striving to resolve pending issues. Gadkari provided details of the projects, including past, ongoing, and future works.
The total cost of these 248 projects in Assam is estimated to be around Rs 1 lakh crore. Gadkari stated that 48 projects have been completed, covering 802 kilometers, with upcoming projects worth Rs 40,863 crores in the pipeline, for which land acquisition has already begun. There are ongoing projects worth Rs 37,700 crores over approximately 1,200 kilometers, and 136 projects have been completed over 2,099 kilometers, costing Rs 12,164 crores. In total, Assam has 248 projects covering 4,091 kilometers at a cost of Rs 1 lakh crore, including upcoming ropeway projects and a multimodal hub at Jogighopa.