CM Sarbananda Sonowal Calls for Faster National Highway (NH) Development

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Sept 24: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal requested the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari to take expeditious action for maintenance of the existing National Highways from Numaligarh to Dibrugarh and from end of Nagaon Bypass to Holongi via Gohpur.

The Chief Minister made the request during review of the NH projects of Assam at the review meeting of the National Highway Projects of the North Eastern States by the Union Minister, which was held at State Convention Centre at Shillong today. The Chief Minister drew attention of the Union Minister that due to non maintenance of the existing stretches of NH -37 of Dibrugarh Bypass, the State Government has taken up maintenance of the NH from its own resources.

Sonowal in the meeting further said that the Union Ministry has already approved 6-laning of Guwahati bypass from Jalukbari to Khanapara. He at the same time also requested the Union Minister for extending this 6-lane from Khanapara to Jorabat Junction with elevated structures at Jorabat considering the present scenario of frequent inundation and water logging.

Moreover, the Chief Minister also called upon the Ministry of MoRTH, State PWD and NHIDCL to work as a team to bolster the development of National Highways and ensure seamless connectivity in the state.

It may be noted that Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is conducting review of the National Highway Projects of the North Eastern States starting today at Shillong. Reviewing progress of different NH projects and taking stock of their problems, Gadkari impressed upon all stakeholders to resolve the issues for speedy implementation of all ongoing works.

In the meeting, message was also sent across to the erring contractors to terminate their contracts in case they fail to adhere to the timeframe stipulated by concerned departments for completion of projects.

Chief Ministers of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura, Minister of State for PWD, Government of Assam Topon Kumar Gogoi and senior officials of the State and Central Governments were present in the meeting.