East-West Corridor on the Assam part of the Balacherra-Harangajao Portion to be Completed in 2020

ASSAM ASSEMBLY

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Even as Opposition legislators have expressed concern at the snail’s pace of progress of the East-West Corridor particularly on the Assam part of the Balacherra-Harangajao portion, the government has evinced confidence that it would be completed within the fixed timeframe of June 2020. The environment clearance for the portion has also been forthcoming, stated PWD Minister (State) Topon Kumar Gogoi in reply to Congress MLA Kamalakya Dey Purkayastha’s question on the issue.

Purkayastha termed it “unfortunate that work on such an important route of the State in general and for the people of Barak valley, in particular, has not picked up pace”, adding: “The people of the valley prefer to proceed to Guwahati via the Assam portion avoiding the Meghalaya portion.”

He also wanted to know whether Forest clearance has been granted for the project.

Giving his reply, Minister Gogoi said: “The Balacherra-Harangajao portion of the East-West Corridor is made up of a total of 25.25 km. Of this stretch, 22.05 km falls in Cachar district and the Barail Reserve Forest also falls in this portion. The remaining stretch of 3.20 km falls in Dima Hasao.

“The final forest clearance for the road connectivity project on the Cachar stretch was received on March 15, 2018.

“Till 2016 it was the responsibility of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). In May that very year the work was handed over to National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL).”

He added: “In December 2017, work was allotted to a construction company and a timeframe of 30 months has been given to the firm. Hence, the project is slated to be completed in June 2020. Land acquisition notifications have been already issued to 15 villages in Cachar. So far 1.73% work has been completed.”

Minister Gogoi took a dig on the previous Government saying: “No significant work was carried out on this stretch during the regime of the past government.”