In a significant development, the 49th Network Planning Group (NPG) meeting of the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP) in New Delhi on Thursday, recommended a roadways project in Tripura, which aims to improve connectivity and stimulate economic and industrial activities in the region. The meeting was chaired by Ms. Sumita Dawra, Special Secretary of the Logistics Division in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The focus of the project is the enhancement and widening of the Khowai-Teliamura-Harina road section, stretching across a total length of 134.9 kilometers. With an estimated cost of Rs 2,486 Crore, the project, which falls under the brownfield category, aims to convert the road into two lanes with paved shoulders. It adopts a multimodal connectivity approach and encompasses the efficient movement of freight, reduction of carbon footprint, optimized alignment, and logistical efficiency.
The proposed road will traverse Khowai, Gomati, and South Tripura districts, connecting key locations such as Khowai, Teliamura, Twidu, Amarpur, Karbook, and Harina. Notably, it will not only enhance interstate connectivity between Assam and Tripura but also provide a significant boost to economic and industrial activities in Tripura.
During the planning phase of the project on the NMP, several key benefits were identified, including the enhancement of logistics efficiency. By utilizing the NMP, the road length was effectively reduced by 28 kilometers, resulting in a travel time reduction of 2.5 hours. Moreover, the project corridor will facilitate intermodal transport from Telimaura Railway Station and Manu Bazar Railway Station near Harina, improving connectivity to the Agartala Airport and the proposed Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) at Udaipur.
The road project is expected to provide regional connectivity, as it lies in close proximity to the Bangladesh border, allowing for connections to Bangladesh through Kailashahar, Kamalpur, and Khowai Border Check Post. Additionally, it will boost connectivity to four economic nodes and thirteen social nodes, including industrial clusters around Agartala, FCI depot, and prominent tourist destinations such as Matabari Temple, Neer Mahal, Pilak Civilization Museum, Jampui Hills, and Ambassa Eco Park.
Furthermore, the project will facilitate freight movement from Kolkata to North Eastern States, primarily Tripura, Mizoram, and Manipur, as well as to Bangladesh. This development will provide a significant boost to industry and export promotion, enabling the movement of raw materials for industry clusters in Tripura and manufactured goods such as rubber, textiles, bamboo, and food processing products from economic nodes like SEZ located at Paschim Jalefa, Sabroom in South Tripura District, and Industrial Clusters/Parks around Agartala and Udaipur.
The proposed road will also play a vital role in connecting North East India to Chittagong Port in Bangladesh, ensuring EXIM connectivity and fostering regional development in tribal areas. The project will enhance connectivity to three Tribal Districts, namely Khowai district, Gomati district, and South Tripura district.
Under the Engineering Procurement & Construction (EPC) basis, the project will be implemented with assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Official Development Assistance (ODA) Loan. The planning of the road alignment adheres to the principles of the PM GatiShakti NMP, incorporating data layers available on the NMP Portal, such as railways. (With inputs from PIB).
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