The government has constructed 9,984 kilometers of National Highways (NHs) in the North Eastern Region (NER) over the past decade, with an expenditure of Rs 1,07,504 crore in a bid to significantly boost infrastructure development in the region. Additionally, 265 NH projects are currently underway, covering 5,055 kilometers, with a projected investment of Rs 1,18,894 crore.
“Several road and transport infrastructure development projects have been taken up by the concerned Ministries and Departments of the Central Government in North Eastern Region (NER). The total length of National Highways (NHs) constructed in North Eastern Region (NER) during the last ten years is 9,984 km with an expenditure of Rs.1,07,504 crore while 265 NH projects are under implementation at a cost of Rs.1,18,894 crore with total length of 5,055 km,” the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) said in a statement.
MoRTH has underscored its commitment to the NER by allocating 10% of the total national budget specifically for the region’s road development.
“Ministry pays special attention to the development of NHs in the NER and 10% of the total budget is earmarked for NER. Further, Government has taken the specific initiative for improvement of connectivity within the region through East-West Corridor program,” the ministry added.
Major initiatives to enhance road connectivity by MoRTH
Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for North East (SARDP-NE)
This program is designed to upgrade NHs linking state capitals to 2/4 lanes, improve connectivity to district headquarters, and enhance access to remote areas. SARDP-NE also focuses on roads of strategic importance in border areas and connectivity to neighboring countries. Under SARDP-NE, including the Arunachal Package, 5,468 kilometers of roadwork has been sanctioned at a cost of Rs 63,542 crore. To date, 3,699 kilometers have been completed with an expenditure of Rs 38,160 crore.
National Highways Development Project (NHDP) Phase-III
This phase has seen the development of 110 kilometers of NHs in the NER, contributing to the region’s road infrastructure enhancement.
Bharatmala Pariyojna
This project covers 2,767 kilometers of NHs in the NER, with a total investment of Rs 64,319 crore. So far, 272 kilometers of this work have been completed at an expenditure of Rs 5,462 crore.
Trans-Arunachal Highway
Stretching from Tawang to Kanubari, this highway project covers 1,077 kilometers and is sanctioned at a cost of Rs 11,643 crore. Currently, 815 kilometers have been completed with an expenditure of Rs 8,708 crore.
Frontier Highway
The Frontier Highway includes 41 projects with a total length of 1,498 kilometers and a combined cost of Rs 29,562 crore, funded by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Ministry of Defence, and the Central Road & Infrastructure Fund.