The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has sanctioned the construction of a four-lane, access-controlled highway corridor measuring 135.871 km between Guwahati and Tezpur in Assam. The estimated capital expenditure for this initiative is Rs 8,970.20 crore and will be executed under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Toll Model.

This project is aimed at improving the transportation network in Assam, specifically along National Highway 15 (NH-15). The committee stated that the highway will include an Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) in the Tezpur Bypass, a feature coordinated with the Indian Air Force (IAF). The initiative is expected to alleviate congestion on the existing NH-27, particularly on the southern banks of the Brahmaputra river.

Notably, the development includes the construction of five major bypasses spanning a total of 58.7 km. These bypasses are designed to ease traffic flow through populous regions such as Baihata Chariali, Sipajhar, Kharupetia, Dekiajuli, and Tezpur.

Infrastructure Development and Facilities

The project encompasses extensive infrastructural improvements, including the erection of 15 major bridges and 30 minor bridges, as well as 19 flyovers, an elephant underpass near Tezpur, and multiple underpasses. A total of 210 km of service roads will also be developed to facilitate cross-traffic movement, enhancing the overall design as an access-controlled highway.

In addition to improving transportation, the corridor aims to significantly increase average travel speeds by up to 100 per cent while also decreasing travel duration by fifty per cent. This development is anticipated to enhance road safety, boost fuel efficiency, and reduce vehicle operating expenditures, contributing positively to regional mobility and socio-economic advancement.

The CCEA has highlighted that the upgraded highway will provide smooth connectivity to essential economic, social, and logistical hubs across both Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. By linking various nodes, the project seeks to strengthen the overall infrastructure network within the region.

Connectivity and Economic Impact

The new corridor is set to improve access to several significant nodes, including eight PM Gati-Shakti Economic Nodes, two social nodes in the aspirational districts of Darrang and Udalguri, and three tourist nodes, which feature attractions such as Maa Kamakhya Temple, Kaziranga National Park, and Orang National Park.

Moreover, the project will enhance connectivity to seven logistical nodes, involving three major railway stations, two airports, and two waterway terminals. Such improvements are expected to expedite the movement of goods and passengers within the region, thereby fostering economic growth.

This highway project is a crucial step towards enhancing the infrastructural landscape of Assam and its neighbouring areas. By facilitating better connectivity, it aspires to promote increased economic activity and improved living standards for the residents of these regions.

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