Centre sanctions Rs 1,250 cr for Assam inland transport

The central government has sanctioned Rs. 1,250 crore for the development of transport sector in Assam, Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari said here on Saturday.

Chairing a high powered meeting of the Brahmaputra Board and Water Resources Department at Kaziranga in the state, he said his ministry's decision to pump in this financial assistance was aimed at an all-round development of the inland transport sector of the state.

With this financial outlay, the government also aimed at developing the inland water transport, he said, adding that infrastructural development would be brought about at the terminals in Bogibeel, Nematighat, Kamalabari, Silghat, Jogighopa, Silchar, Dhubri and Pandu.

"Of this outlay, an amount of Rs 32 crore will be utilized for constructing 56 terminals and Rs. 60 crore will be spent on Ro-Ro service," the Union Minister said.

Setting up a motor driving training institute all the districts of the state has also been envisaged, according to the Minister.

Gadkari also asked the state government to take immediate steps for upgradation of the entire network of embankments measuring approximately 4,474.42km and convert those into road-cum-dykes.

He also asked the Water Resources Department to involve a foreign consultant if required for the preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) within three months.

The Minister also underscored the need for involving local youths and raw materials from local markets for upgradation of the entire network of the embankments. The entire fund required for the purpose would be borne by the Centre, he said.

Gadkari also reviewed the progress of the works related to perennial flood and erosion management, express highway and dredging of the Brahmaputra river.

For reining in the perennial flood problem, Gadkari asked state government to go for an all-out plantation drive. He said growing grass and plantation of saplings would go a long way in mitigating soil erosion.

--IANS

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