Assam CM hails Rs 15,431 crore highway expansion project to boost connectivity
Guwahati, June 29
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said the Centre's Rs 15,431 crore expansion of the Baihata Chariali-Mission Chariali-Tezpur stretch of National Highway-15 will significantly strengthen connectivity in the state, making travel faster, safer and more seamless.
In a post on social media, CM Sarma described the ambitious highway project as a major step towards accelerating Assam's infrastructure-led development and improving access to economic opportunities across the region.
"When I speak about development, I envision connectivity that brings people closer to opportunities. The Rs 15,431 crore expansion of Baihata Chariali-Mission Chariali-Tezpur stretch of NH-15 is another decisive step in that direction, making travel faster, safer and seamless," the Chief Minister said.
The project is expected to improve road connectivity between central and upper Assam by widening and upgrading a key section of National Highway-15, one of the state's major transport corridors.
Officials said the expansion is aimed at reducing travel time, easing traffic congestion and enhancing road safety while supporting the movement of goods and passengers.
The upgraded highway is also expected to improve connectivity to important commercial centres, educational institutions and tourist destinations in the region.
The project forms part of the Centre's broader push to modernise highway infrastructure in the Northeast, a region that has witnessed substantial investments in roads, bridges, railways and airports over the past few years.
The Assam government has repeatedly maintained that improved transport infrastructure is crucial for attracting investment, generating employment and ensuring balanced regional development.
The Baihata Chariali-Mission Chariali-Tezpur corridor serves as an important link connecting Guwahati with Sonitpur and several districts of upper Assam.
The upgraded highway is expected to facilitate smoother movement of traffic and strengthen connectivity with neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh as well.
The Chief Minister has consistently highlighted infrastructure development as one of the key priorities of his government, asserting that better connectivity is essential for driving economic growth, improving public services and creating new opportunities for people across Assam.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally some attention to the Northeast! This project sounds promising - improved connectivity to Arunachal Pradesh especially. As someone who travels from Tezpur to Guwahati regularly, the current road is a nightmare during monsoon. Let's hope the expansion includes proper drainage this time. Insha'Allah, it'll be good for tourism too - places like Kaziranga will become more accessible.
While the investment is welcome, I wish the government would also focus on maintenance of existing roads. Many highways in Assam get damaged within months of construction due to poor quality work. Hope the expansion comes with strict quality checks and a proper maintenance plan. Also, land acquisition for such projects sometimes displaces villagers - hope they are compensated fairly.
Impressive scale of investment - Rs 15,431 crore for highway expansion is exactly the kind of infrastructure push needed to unlock economic potential in the Northeast. Having driven from Guwahati to Tezpur a few years back, I can say the current road is woefully inadequate. This will be a game-changer for logistics, tourism, and regional trade. Kudos to both Centre and state governments!
As a student who travels from Tezpur to Guwahati for studies, this is music to my ears! The current road takes 4-5 hours for a 180 km stretch - absolutely ridiculous. If this expansion reduces it to even 2.5 hours, it'll be huge for students like me. But please also add proper footpaths and pedestrian crossings in towns along the route. Safety first! 🚗
S Sarah B Fantastic news! We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.