New Delhi, Oct 28: Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and MSMEs Nitin Gadkari virtually laid the foundation stones of nine National Highway projects with a total length of nearly 262 km worth over Rs 2,752 crore in Tripura. The event was presided by the Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, in the presence of Union MoSs Dr Jitendra Singh and Gen (Retd) Dr V K Singh, Ministers from the State, Members of Parliaments, MLAs and senior officers from the Centre and the State.

 

 

 

Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister said, "Nearly 300 km NH length has been added in Tripura in the last six years. Today, there are over 850 kms of NHs in the State." Gadkari informed that roads worth Rs 8,000 crore are being constructed in Tripura, and as much as Rs 365 crore have been disbursed towards land acquisition cost in the State between 2015 and 2020.

 

 

Gadkari said, very soon two important projects are completing in the State - Feni Bridge and the Udaipur-Agartala road - which are important from social, economic and defence points of view. The distance between Sabrum and Chittagong is 75 kms, and the bridge will ease the transportation of goods from Chittagong and Kolkata ports. An integrated check post is also proposed near Sabrum.

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said that in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for New India, a New North East will play an important role, as all the 8 States of the region are witnessing a series of developmental projects in all fields. "PM Modi came to power, massive steps were taken to bring the North Eastern Region at par with the other regions of the country and added that Centre is committed to develop all the 8 states of the region in tune with the Western States of India."

 

 

Describing Tripura as a Gateway of the “Act East Policy” of the Central Government, Singh said that very soon we are also going to have a train to Bangladesh from Tripura heralding a new chapter and opening new vistas in the development of this region by providing the entire region access to the seaports. He added that this will boost the trade across the borders especially with our eastern neighbours by leaps and bounds.

 

Union Minister of State for RTH Gen (Retd) Dr V K Singh said, the projects, on completion, will provide faster and hassle-free inter-state and international connectivity to Bangladesh, and will be a major stride towards strengthening tourism sector of the State. The new projects will provide better connectivity, fast and safe movement of traffic to various tourist places, historical places and religious places in the entire State. They are likely to generate large number of employment and self-employment opportunities to the unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled manpower of the region.

 

Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb also addressed the event. He said the people of Tripura are indebted to the Centre for having prioritized it for development. He said the new roads will be a boon for the people as these will provide all-weather connectivity in this hilly and rainy state.