GUWAHATI: Assam has emerged as the leader in the Northeastern region regarding National Highway projects, boasting the highest number of initiatives in progress and the longest stretches of road under construction, amounting to an impressive Rs. 39,239 crore.
These projects are either approaching completion within the 2024-25 timeframe or have received approval but have yet to commence. Recent statistics indicate that Arunachal Pradesh is working on two projects covering a total of 815 kilometers, with an investment of Rs. 8,035 crore. In contrast, Nagaland, Manipur, and Tripura have a smaller number of projects and shorter road lengths, highlighting Assam’s significant progress in this sector.
Although Arunachal Pradesh has ambitious future investment plans, it currently has a slightly lower number of ongoing projects compared to Assam. Assam has made the largest financial commitment to the development and maintenance of National Highways, contributing a total of Rs. 5,329 crore. Arunachal Pradesh closely follows with an investment of Rs. 3,488 crore, while Nagaland, Manipur, and Tripura have allocated Rs. 1,227 crore, Rs. 1,508 crore, and Rs. 514 crore, respectively.
The timely completion of these National Highway projects depends on various factors, including the availability of land free from encumbrances, the acquisition of necessary clearances, and the financial stability of contractors. All ongoing projects in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Tripura are anticipated to be completed by 2028. To mitigate potential delays and challenges, initiatives such as streamlined land acquisition processes and improved collaboration with stakeholders have been implemented.
