Nitin Gadkari orders early completion of North Eastern highway projects

NEW DELHI- Road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari has ordered early completion of national highway projects in the seven north eastern states. The minister will review the progress of the ongoing projects during his visit to Shillong over the weekend.

Currently, national highway works worth Rs 1.5 crore are currently under construction in the north eastern states.

"The minister will review the status of each project in the presence of the state Chief Ministers, PWD Ministers, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) and also the project contractors," a release from the government said.


In addition to the review, Gadkari will also inaugurate the 102 km Jowai-Ratacherra section of NH-06 in the state of Meghalaya.

The NH project, constructed at a cost of Rs 683 Crore, will reduce the travel time between Jowai and Ratacherra to 2.5 hours from the 4 hours at present. The highways passes through the coal and cement producing belt, and is a lifeline for the landlocked states of the North East. "Improved connectivity will foster economic growth in the Barak Valley and surrounding areas, open up employment opportunities and improve overall living conditions in the region," the government statement said.