Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced on Wednesday that the government intends to invest Rs 3 lakh crore in Assam to develop national highways that match the quality of those in the United States.
During the Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways emphasized that there are ample funds available for road infrastructure projects. He updated the House on the status of various national highway projects in Assam, highlighting that the Guwahati ring road is scheduled for completion by December 2027 with an investment of Rs 5,800 crore.
Gadkari expressed confidence that the improvements will elevate Assam’s national highways to global standards. He stated, “We are constructing roads, bridges, and tunnels to enhance transportation networks in the state.”
In addition to the Ring Road, plans include a tunnel under the Brahmaputra River in Dibrugarh, aimed at facilitating further connectivity, with a total cost of Rs 12,000 crore already under sanctioning processes.
“This initiative will completely transform the highway network in Assam, creating jobs, driving wealth creation, and fostering development. The Prime Minister’s administration prioritizes infrastructure development, particularly in the northeast region,” noted Gadkari.
He also addressed the elevated highway project over Kaziranga National Park, assuring that funding will not be a constraint and that the project would commence following Cabinet approval.
In response to Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge’s query on connectivity between Gulbarga and Bengaluru, Gadkari highlighted the extensive work done in Karnataka under the Modi government since 2014. He invited Kharge to share a list of pending infrastructure needs in the state for consideration.
The minister acknowledged challenges related to land acquisition and environmental approvals in Karnataka. Responding to concerns regarding highway number allocations, Gadkari clarified, “Files do not go to the Prime Minister’s Office; my department operates independently under the given mandate.”
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar also appealed to Gadkari to consider a national highway connection for his native village in Haryana, emphasizing its potential benefit for travelers to Delhi.
