Four-laning of Numaligarh-D'garh NH stretch gets Centre's nod

"The approval for four-laning of the stretch has come. The Rs 2,096 crore project would be developed under the Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) Annuity method," Assam PWD and Urban Development minister Ajanta Neog said here.

She said the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) would undertake the 179 km project in three phases.

"The High Powered committee on Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for the North Eastern Region (SARDP-NE) had in 2011 recommended for making the project a two-lane one. However, we appealed to the Centre, including the Prime Minister, for a four-lane project," Neog said.

Asked by when the project is likely to be completed, she said, "While details would be handed to us once NHAI finalises the tender, NHAI generally is expected to complete any projects taken by it within 30 months from the date of start of work."

She said the four-laning of the stretch would act as a major economic boost for the upper Assam region.

Neog also said the Centre has given in-principle approval for 1,000 km of new roads under the Bharat Nirman programme of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana in Assam.

"For the first phase, Rs 310 crore has been sancntioned for 426 km in various parts of the state. This will also include 90 bridges in these stretches. The rest 574 km will be taken up in the second phase," she said. MORE