New Delhi: The Centre has approved the development of a 135.87-km, four-lane access-controlled Guwahati-Tezpur Corridor along NH-15 in Assam at an estimated capital cost of Rs 8,970.20 crore.
The decision was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The project will be developed under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) toll model through the National Highways programme.
The corridor will include five major bypasses covering 58.7 km to reduce traffic congestion in densely populated areas such as Baihata Chariali, Sipajhar, Kharupetia, Dhekiajuli and Tezpur.
A 4.9-km Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) will also be constructed on the Tezpur bypass in coordination with the Indian Air Force. The facility is expected to strengthen strategic infrastructure along the corridor.
The project will include 15 major bridges, 30 minor bridges, 19 flyovers, 46 underpasses and an elephant underpass on the Tezpur bypass. Around 210 km of service roads will also be developed to maintain local traffic movement as the corridor will be access-controlled.
According to the government, the upgraded corridor is expected to double average travel speeds and reduce travel time by nearly half. It will also improve road safety, fuel efficiency and reduce vehicle operating costs.
The project is expected to improve connectivity between key economic, social and logistics centres in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. It will also provide better access to eight PM Gati-Shakti economic nodes, including industrial parks, two aspirational districts Darrang and Udalguri and major tourist destinations such as Kamakhya Temple, Kaziranga National Park and Orang National Park.
The corridor will further connect three major railway stations, two airports and two inland waterway terminals, helping speed up the movement of goods and passengers across the region.