GUWAHATI, Feb 5 � Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday urged Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Dr C P Joshi to initiate necessary steps to start the construction work of 4 laning of NH-37 from Numaligarh to Dibrugarh within this year. This work was approved in the year 2005 on BoT (Annuity) basis under SARDP-NE and was entrusted to NHAI for execution, he told the Union Minister.
According to an official press release here, considering its importance, the Chief Minister urged Dr. Joshi also to implement urgently construction of 2 lane alternate route between Barak Valley (Silchar) to Nellie near Guwahati via Harangajao-Turuk covering a length of 244.235 km under SARDP-NE Phase-�A�. The Chief Minister held a high-level meeting with the Union Minister at the former�s official residence here.
Chief Minister Gogoi while thanking Dr. Joshi for taking up the Comprehensive Road Development Programme by implementing both the NHDP and SARDP-NE programme in the State, said though there have been many improvements, a lot needs to be done to bring the State Highways to the national standard.
The Chief Minister requested the Union Minister for a quick Action Plan for construction of the two newly declared NHs vis-�-vis NH-127B from Srirampur (on NH-31C) to Phulbari via Dhubri including construction of a bridge over river Brahmaputra and NH-315A from Tinsukia to Hukanjuri (Assam-Arunachal border) via Naharkotia. �The implementation of construction of these new NHs should be included under SARDP-NE Phase A,� Gogoi urged Dr. Joshi.
While pointing out the strategic importance of the 4-laning works from Nagaon to Holongi (Assam-Arunachal border), the Chief Minister urged the Union Minister to start the work immediately.
Construction of 4-lane bridge over river Brahmaputra including viaduct and its approaches connecting Gohpur on NH-52 and Numaligarh on NH-37 needs to be started immediately. This project is under BOT (Annuity) and Land Survey & Feasibility Study has been started by the State PWD.
In view of the manifold increase in traffic volume along Guwahati bypass on NH-37 (from Jalukbari to Khanapara) over the years, the Chief Minister requested the Union Minister to actively consider the proposal for six-laning of the Guwahati bypass with provision of a 6-lane flyover at Basistha Chariali. �The present 4-lane capacity of the road is not at all adequate to cater to the growing vehicular traffic,� the Chief Minister pointed out.
Gogoi requested Dr. Joshi for inclusion of the historically famous 212 km long Dhodar Ali under SARDP-NE Phase-�A�. �The missing link from Disangmukh near Sibsagar to Dhakuakhana � North Lakhimpur � Kamalabari Satra of Majuli needs to be restored at the earliest,� Gogoi equipped.
The Chief Minister took up a number of developmental works on National Highways in Barak Valley with the Union Minister. Gogoi urged Dr. Joshi to expedite the implementation of the realignment plan of the stretch of NH-53 for Panchgram (sinking zone) due to erosion by river Barak under SARDP-NE �as BRO has not been able to maintain it.�
Gogoi requested Dr. Joshi to hasten the development of the NH-44 phase-wise under various developmental schemes of the Ministry as �this road serves as an important NH link between Brahmaputra Valley and Barak Valley through NH-40�.
Of the total length of 111 km of NH-44 in the State of Assam, 31 km stretch has been taken up for development under SARDP-NE. 16 km has already been developed under Annual Plan.
Gogoi also urged Dr. Joshi to expedite the process of construction of Malidhar RCC bridge on NH-44, started by BRO long ago, �as the present Bailey bridge has outlived its utility and may not be safe for traffic movement.�
The Chief Minister requested the Union Minister for development of NH-151 connecting Karimganj to Sutarkandi and NH-53 from Silchar to Jiribam. �Considering the importance of these two Highways for connectivity to South East Asian countries, development of these two Highways is urgently required,� Gogoi pointed out.
Citing the strategic importance of NH-52 for movement of equipment and other materials for several hydroelectric power projects coming up in the State of Arunachal Pradesh which passes through the busy township of Mangaldoi, the Chief Minister urged the Union Minister to actively consider for creation of a bypass �for uninterrupted movement of vehicles and safety of the road users�.
The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways assured the Chief Minister that his ministry would actively consider all the proposals for building up better road connectivity in the State.
The meeting was attended, among others, by Minister for PWD, Ajanta Neog, Chief Secretary, NK Das, Additional Chief Secretary, Jitesh Khosla, Commissioner & Special Secretary, PWD (Building and NH), Ajoy Bordoloi and Principal Secretary to CM, Jishnu Barua.