NHIDCL to invest Rs 25,000 cr on 21 projects in Assam

We want to develop the infrastructure in North East to bring the region closer to mainstream, said NHIDCL MD

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National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) today said it will invest around Rs 25,000 crore to complete 21 road and bridge projects in Assam over the next five years.

The company, which was set up last year, has already awarded contracts for 10 projects and four more will be handed over to contractors by December this year.

"Our focus is on infrastructure to unlock the potential of land, manpower and resources. We want to develop the infrastructure in North East to bring the region closer to mainstream," NHIDCL Managing Director Anand Kumar said.

Speaking on the sidelines of a day-long infrastructure conclave by PHDCCI here, he said the NHIDCL has been entrusted with 21 projects in the first phase in Assam.

"These 21 projects are scheduled to complete by March 2020. These will entail an investment of around Rs 25,000 crore, including construction cost, land acquisition price and payments for reforestation. This will be financed by the Central government," Kumar said.

Out of the total amount, Rs 10,294.86 crore have been earmarked for construction works, he added.

Elaborating on the projects, Kumar said ten projects have already been awarded and these will be completed by December 2018.

"Bidding process is going on in four more projects. These will be awarded by December this year and will be completed by March 2019," he added.

NHIDCL has been carrying out Detailed Project Reports (DPR) for another seven projects in the state and these are likely to be awarded for construction by March 2017 and are expected to be ready by March 2020, Kumar said.

All the 21 projects are on National Highways 37, 37A, 38, 52, 52A and 53 in Assam. Most of the projects are for four-laning of the existing highways, while constructing some important bridges.

The projects are located in Upper Assam on both North and South banks of Brahmaputra along with Barak valley.