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Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) today approved a proposal for undertaking improvement of selected road length of 7639 kms in the North Eastern region at an estimated cost of Rs.12,123 crores. The entire project would be implemented in three Phases i.e. Phase A, Phase B and Phase C.
The aggregate length of Phase ‘A’ of Special Accelerated Road Development Programme in various States of North Eastern Region is 1310 kms. The total financial implications of the projects included in Phase ‘A’ would be to the tune of Rs.4618 crore. Phase ‘A’ would be completed in all respects between 2005-06 and 2008-09. The implementing agencies for the programme are:
Roads Implementing agency for Phase ‘A’
NHAI (on BOT basis)
PWD, Assam BRO
National Highways
603 kms in Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland & Sikkim
215 kms in Assam
292 kms in Assam
State / General Staff (GS) Roads
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200 kms in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur & Sikkim
Phase ‘A’ includes:
(i) Four-laning of NH-37 from Nagaon to Dibrugarh (315 kms) on Build, Operate & Transfer (BOT) basis.
(ii) Four-laning of 288 kms of National Highways 39, 40, 44 & 31A for connecting the capitals of Nagaland, Meghalaya and Sikkim with East-West Corridor under NHDP II on BOT basis.
(iii) Double-laning of 507 kms of single lane stretches on 9 national highways in Assam.
(iv) Double-laning of Maram-Peren Road in Manipur (108 kms)
(v) Improvement of the road from Lumla to Tashigong via Dudunghar (36 kms) in Arunachal Pradesh.
(vi) Double-laning of existing single lane border road from Gangtok to Nathula (56 km) in Sikkim.
CCEA also gave its “In Principle” approval to the extent of initiating action for the preparation of DPRs for the roads under Phase ‘B’ and Phase ‘C’.
CCEA further approved the following:
(a) Mechanism for approval of projects.
(b) Additional delegation of powers to BRO including its strengthening to be resolved by a committee headed by Defence Secretary.
The benefits of this Development Programme in N-E Region will be:
(i) Improvement of existing single / intermediate / two-lane highways and/or their widening to two/four lanes will improve traffic safety, provide faster movement of vehicles, with improved riding quality and save time. This will lead to reduction in vehicle operating cost and significant reduction in fuel consumption for the vehicles resulting in energy conservation.
(ii) The project will lead to employment generation.
(iii) It will provide connectivity to the remote and backward areas of North-Eastern Region with the rest of India and also with the neighbouring countries.
(iv) Better roads will also enhance investment opportunities and boost trade in the region.
YSR/HS/HK/LV
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