Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma opens 3 foot over-bridges in Guwahati
* 'Foot over-bridges constructed with funds from Lok Nirman Bibhag'
STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: State Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated three newly-constructed foot over-bridges – one each at Kamakhya, Ganeshguri near Kar Bhawan and Khanapara in Guwahati – on Sunday.
The foot over-bridge in Khanapara was constructed using bamboo to serve as an entry landmark to the city. It has a sign reading "Welcome to Guwahati" over it.
The Khanapara foot over-bridge cost Rs. 13 crore. It has cost the highest amount among the varying budgets for the construction of all the foot over-bridges.
Addressing a press meet at Khanapara on Sunday, Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated, "The decision was taken on February 1 last year to construct nine foot over-bridges across the city. Among them, five projects have been completed, and the remaining four will be completed by March 13 this year."
Further, the minister said, "The construction of nine foot over-bridges have nothing to do with the Guwahati Smart City Project. These are being built with the annual allocation of Rs 2,600 crore meant for the Lok Nirman Bibhag.
"The four flyovers in the city are being constructed with the State Fund. While the one at Ganeshguri has been completed, 70 per cent works of the one at Supermarket are over. It is set to be completed by May or June. It will be dedicated to the public soon. The foundation stone of the flyover connecting Sarabhati and Arya Vidyapith College Road will be laid within a week. Works of the Maligaon connecting flyover have also been started."
Moreover, the Minister said, "In the coming days we are planning foot over-bridges at RG Baruah Road and three foot over-bridge from Chandmari to Ganeshguri."
Taking a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Sarma said that he spent about Rs 35 lakh to travel to Sivasagar. He could have got better results from the point of view of crowed had he visited Kamakhya, Batarduwa Than and other sacred places of the State, he added.