Centre approves Rs 200 cr package for repair works for flood-hit National Highways

The central government today approved a whopping Rs 200 crore special package for Assam government to take up road repair works especially on National Highways. The assurance to this effect was given by Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari when a delegation of Assam government officials and elected MPs led by Chief Minister Sarbanand Sonowal called on him here. "The allotment of Rs 200 crore has been approved today after Chief Minister raised various issues concerning the flood-hit areas of the state..

.The improvement of National Highways will improve connectivity in the north east. In addition, the Centre has already approved Rs 400 crore for various works including dredging in Brahmaputra river," Mr Gadkari told reporters after the meeting. He said the Centre has also requested the state government to prepare a detailed project report for Barhmaputra Express Highways. "Once the survey is done and the project report from the state comes, works will be expedited further," he said. Mr Gadkari said for project worth over Rs 1000 crore, it is mandatory to take cabinet sanction and hence the proposed Rs 30,000 crore to Rs 40,000 crore Express Highways will be referred to the cabinet in due time.

"I can share the details only when the cabinet sits over it and takes it decision," Mr Gadkari said. Earlier this year, the government has said that giving priority to road connectivity in the north east, the first express highway in Assam will be developed along the banks of Brahmaputra. This 1,300 km-long express highway is likely to incur an investment of Rs 40,000 crore. He said that both the Centre and the state government was committed to working to find long lasting and permanent solution to the problem of river erosion.

The Assam Chief Minister later told UNI that the state government has also urged the Centre to take a decision on river embankments. The state government proposal is for 5000 km river embankment works, he said adding the Central government response to the request from the state has been "very positive". The meeting was attended among others by Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain and party MPs including Ramen Deka, Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, Ram Prasad Sarmah and Rameshwar Teli.