Assam’s transport sector set to get reformative boost with loan of Rs. 1,250 Cr

Dispur, January 1: Loan of around Rs. 1,250 Cr was sanctioned for the development of Assam’s transport sector. Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari said that this move aims for an all-round development of the inland transport sector of the state. 

Chairing a high powered meeting of the Brahmaputra Board and Water Resources Department at Kaziranga in the state, he said his ministry’s decision to pump in this financial assistance was aimed at an all-round development of the inland transport sector of the state. 

With this financial outlay, the government also aimed at developing the inland water transport, he said, adding that infrastructural development would be brought about at the terminals in Bogibeel, Nematighat, Kamalabari, Silghat, Jogighopa, Silchar, Dhubri and Pandu.

“Of this outlay, an amount of Rs 32 Crores will be utilized for constructing 56 terminals and Rs. 60 Crores will be spent on Ro-Ro service,” the Union Minister said.

Setting up a motor driving training institute all the districts of the state has also been envisaged, according to the Minister.

Minister Nitin Gadkari also asked the state government to take immediate steps for upgradation of the entire network of embankments measuring approximately 4,474.42km and convert those into road-cum-dykes.

Further he also asked the Water Resources Department to involve a foreign consultant if required for the preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) within three months.

Minister Gadkari also reviewed the progress of the works related to perennial flood and erosion management, express highway and dredging of the Brahmaputra River. For reining in the perennial flood problem, Gadkari asked state government to go for an all-out plantation drive. He said growing grass and plantation of saplings would go a long way in mitigating soil erosion.