Dimapur, Dec. 4 (EMN): Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and MSMEs, Nitin Gadkari, on Friday virtually inaugurated and ‘laid foundation stone’ for 15 national highway projects in Nagaland.
According to a PIB press release, these NH projects will cover a length of around 266 km at an approximate cost of INR 4127 crore.
Speaking on the occasion, Gadkari informed that 667 km have been added to the NH network in Nagaland during last six years, which depicts a growth of nearly 76%.
The NH network in the state today has been extended to 1,547 km, from 880.68 km in 2014.
Gadkari said that almost all districts in Nagaland now have been connected to a robust network of national highways. The minister informed that the NH network density now is 93.30 km/1000 sq km against the national average of 39.90 km/1000 sq km.
The population-wise density of NH network in Nagaland is 77.73km/lakh population against the national average of 10.80 km/lakh population.
He further informed that for development and improvement of national highways, 55 works/projects covering a total length 1063.41 km, and costing INR 11,711 crore, have been approved in last six years.
This includes around 48 km of three concrete roads projects as part of improvement of Dimapur city at a total cost of about INR 1,598 crore.
He said that 16 works/projects covering 690 km at the cost of INR 7,955 crore are in progress. Seven more projects covering 105 km at the cost of INR 966.75 crore are in tendering stage.
He also indicated that 11 works of 178 km costing INR 2,127 crore are to be approved during 2020-21 with enhanced sanction ceiling. Five works of 524 km costing over INR 6,000 crore are in DPR stage.
Gadkari added that under CRF, a total of INR 1,334.3 crore has been sanctioned from 2002 till date; out of which, INR 487.14 crore has been released.
He announced that a sum of INR 45 crore will released for Nagaland soon. He also pointed out that the state's BoS ratio is 11.5% today, which is very high.
The union minister requested Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to ‘urgently send’ the estimates for land and damage compensation in respect of Kohima bypass project.
He also informed that NHIDCL has taken up two-lanning of Kohima-Mao road in Nagaland.
Stating that the estimate for damage compensation is being awaited, Gadkari urged the state government to expedite it.
Speaking about 26.25 km Kohima-Mao road, for which a foundation was laid on Friday, Gadkari informed that this stretch is also an important part of Asian Highway( AH-1) connecting to Myanmar as it will greatly improve connectivity of Kohima city to Manipur border.
He reiterated that the union government is committed to the development of Northeast and Nagaland.
Meanwhile, Rio requested Gadkari to consider development of foothill roads in the state, to which the latter responded that it is under consideration.
The chief minister also raised the issue of Dimapur-Kohima road, to which the union minister said that work is in progress, and 70 to 80% work on this road has been completed.
Gadkari urged Rio to further review the NH works to resolve the issue.
Minister of State for Road Transport, Highways, Gen. (Dr.) VK Singh informed that out of the 14 projects, for which foundations were laid on Friday, 11 will be executed by NHIDCL and three by Nagaland PWD through the road wing of MoRTH.