GUWAHATI, Dec 11 � The Central Government has included a proposal for construction of a 285-km-long two-lane alternative national highway to connect Barak Valley with Guwahati via Harangajao-Turuk and Nellie, in its Modified SARDP-NE Programme.
This was disclosed by Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Ajanta Neog in the State Assembly here today. She also informed the House that one more bridge over the Brahmaputra connecting Numaligarh in Golaghat district on the south bank with Gohpur in Sonitpur district on the north bank, was also coming up.
The Minister was taking part in a discussion on a private member resolution moved by All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) MLA Maulana Ataur Rahman Mazarbhuyan to connect Barak Valley with Guwahati through Harangajao-Turuk and Jagiroad.
She further informed that the Union Road Transport and Highways Ministry has sanctioned an amount of Rs 87.60 lakh for conducting surveys etc., for the road.
Since the Baithalangsu-Raha portion of the proposed road has an intermediate lane, the Union Road Transport Ministry has been requested to construct the road according to this alignment.
The Union Road Transport Ministry has also been requested to sanction a modified alignment plan between Amsoi Gate in Karbi Anglong and Baithalangsu.
At present work on preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and estimates for land acquisition is going on. By this time, preparation of the estimate for land acquisition in the portion of the proposed road in Dima Hasao district is almost complete.
It is expected that preparation of the estimate for land acquisition in Karbi Anglong, Nagaon and Morigaon districts for the purpose of building the road would be completed by April, 2013.
Steps would be taken in the first part of next year to send the DPR for construction of the road to the Central Government. Steps are also taken to secure necessary permission from the environment and forest departments for the purpose. Communications with the Union Government would be made to expedite the construction work of the road by upgrading it from SARDP-NE Phase-B to Phase-A, she said.
The Minister informed the House that stone and sand are scarce in Barak Valley and this factor, along with bad weather condition, has been impeding progress of road construction work there.
However, the ongoing road construction works there are expected to be completed in time, said the Minister.
Earlier, moving the resolution Mazarbhuyan suggested that the road should be named after the great general Chilarai. The resolution was supported by Kamal Singh Narzary (BPF), Bhupen Roy (AGP) and Prasanta Phukan (BJP). Mazarbhuyan withdrew his resolution after the Minister�s statement.
