GUWAHATI: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced on Wednesday that the government intends to invest Rs. 3 lakh crore in Assam to develop national highways comparable to those in the United States. Speaking during the Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Gadkari emphasized that his ministry has sufficient funding for ongoing road projects.
The minister provided updates on various national highway initiatives in Assam, highlighting that the Guwahati ring road project is set for completion by December 2027, with an estimated cost of Rs. 5,800 crores. "I am confident that after these developments, Assam's national highways will be on par with those in the USA," he stated.
Apart from the ring road, Gadkari had referred to a major project for a tunnel under the Brahmaputra River in Dibrugarh, which is estimated to cost Rs. 12,000 crore and is currently awaiting sanctioning. He claimed that these infrastructure developments would change the face of Assam's highway network, attracting more investment, employment opportunities, and overall growth in the state.
Addressing concerns about funding, Gadkari assured that there are no financial constraints for the elevated highway project over Kaziranga National Park, which will commence following Cabinet approval. He also responded to queries from Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge regarding connectivity in Karnataka, inviting him to provide a list of necessary projects.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar specially requested national highway connectivity for his birthplace Tithana village, to which Gadkari gave a positive reply.
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