Assam Mala: State highways to be upgraded as per NH specifications

GUWAHATI: The State government has taken up an ambitious project to upgrade all State highways. Entitled ‘Assam Mala’, 2500 km of the highways would be taken up at the initial stage. The work would be taken up as per the specifications of the National Highways. This is for the first time that the Public Works Department (PWD) would be carrying out the project. The project would commence from the end of this financial year. This new scheme would be completed within 15 years.

This was stated by State PWD Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma at a press meet here on Sunday. Referring to the project, Dr Sarma pointed out that the total money involvement would be Rs 5000 crore. Hitherto the State Highways have been suffering from the malaise of “limited lifespan” as they were constructed “below the recommended specifications that are followed while constructing the national highways”, he stated.

Under the ‘Assam Mala’ scheme, long stretches of the state highways would be taken up for upgradation.

Dr Sarma also provided an overview of the various projects that have been taken up since May 2, 2018 when he had taken over charge of the department. Till date, projects worth Rs 13,892 crore have been sanctioned, he said, adding that “work on some of them have already started while the remaining ones would be taken up soon.”

Funding for these projects would be through both the Central government as well as the State government sources. Dr Sarma stated: “Projects of about 7000 km worth Rs 5,700.52 crore would be funded from our own resources. Some projects would also be initiated under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). Under this Central government scheme, a total of 9843 km of road projects have been taken up at a cost of Rs 8192.45 crore. Some of the PMGSY projects have already started while the remaining would commence very soon. The funding here would be on the ratio of 90:10. The State Government would have the 10 per cent share. The lion’s share would be borne by the Central Government.”

The PWD Minister added: “A clear picture would be visible from April while the changes in the roadways would be distinct within a year. The list of various projects undertaken will be uploaded in the official web site for the public to also follow the development of those projects. This is for the first time in the history of PWD that such a large number of projects have been taken within a short span of time.”

When asked about the status of the ongoing four-lane national highway in Upper Assam, Dr Sarma said, “NHIDCL is carrying out the entire project. Speed is picking up now, and the overall progress would be discernible within a year.”