North East's High Ways get massive booster, 10 pc in budget

Agartala, Jul 25, 2024, By Our Correspondent

The development of National Highways (NHs) in the North Eastern Region (NER) of India has seen substantial progress over the last decade, with a significant focus on improving infrastructure to enhance connectivity and boost socio-economic development. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, under the leadership of Nitin Gadkari, has been instrumental in these efforts.

Key Achievements

1. Total NH Construction:

   • Length: 9,984 km
   • Expenditure: Rs. 1,07,504 crore
   • Time Period: Last ten years

2. Ongoing Projects:

   • Number of Projects: 265
   • Total Length: 5,055 km
   • Cost: Rs. 1,18,894 crore

Government Initiatives and Programs

1. Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for North East (SARDP-NE):

   • Objective:
     • Upgrade NHs connecting state capitals to 2/4 lanes.
     • Provide at least 2-lane road connectivity to District Headquarters.
     • Improve connectivity to backward and remote areas.
     • Enhance roads of strategic importance in border areas.
     • Improve connectivity to neighboring countries.
   • Total Length Sanctioned: 5,468 km
   • Total Cost: Rs. 63,542 crore
   • Length Completed: 3,699 km
   • Expenditure: Rs. 38,160 crore

2. National Highways Development Project (NHDP) Phase-III:

   • Total Length Developed: 110 km
   • Region: NER

3. Bharatmala Pariyojna:

   • Total Length Sanctioned: 2,767 km
   • Total Cost: Rs. 64,319 crore
   • Length Completed: 272 km
   • Expenditure: Rs. 5,462 crore

4. Trans-Arunachal Highway:

   • Route: From Tawang to Kanubari
   • Total Length: 1,077 km
   • Total Cost: Rs. 11,643 crore
   • Length Completed: 815 km
   • Expenditure: Rs. 8,708 crore

5. Frontier Highway Project:

   • Objective: Provide enhanced connectivity to border areas with strategic importance and foster socio-economic development in Arunachal Pradesh.
   • Number of Projects: 41
   • Total Length: 1,498 km
   • Total Cost: Rs. 29,562 crore
   • Funding Sources: Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Ministry of Defence, and Central Road & Infrastructure Fund.

Budget Allocation and Strategic Importance

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has emphasized the importance of the NER by allocating 10 percent of the total budget specifically for the development of NHs in this region. This special attention aims to address the unique challenges and needs of the NER, ensuring better connectivity and integration with the rest of India.

Strategic Objectives

• Infrastructure Enhancement: Upgrading and constructing highways to improve overall infrastructure, facilitating smoother and faster transportation.
• Socio-Economic Development: Providing better connectivity to remote and backward areas to boost economic activities and improve living standards.
• Strategic Connectivity: Enhancing road networks in border areas for strategic purposes, ensuring national security, and fostering better relations with neighboring countries.
• Inclusive Development: Ensuring that all regions, including the most remote and underdeveloped, benefit from the national development agenda.

The comprehensive approach taken by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, through various dedicated programs and significant budget allocation, has led to remarkable progress in the development of NHs in the NER. This progress not only improves infrastructure but also plays a crucial role in the socio-economic upliftment of the region, ensuring that the benefits of development reach even the most remote areas.