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COVER STORY
and China in 2017. The new axis will be helpful for the armed forces, Innovation, Incubation and Training (CIIIT), the biggest PPP initiative
making it easier to mobilise troops and equipment. in Manipur, a state-of-the-art cancer hospital, besides several other
In June last year, 12 roads and 63 bridges – totalling 75 projects – projects. These projects are aimed at development of infrastructure
across six states and two union territories along the Line of Actual and connectivity, skilling and employment of youth, renovation of
Control (LAC) became operational. According to the Ministry places of historic and spiritual importance, and improvement of
of Defence (MoD), 2021 witnessed a record by Border Roads healthcare facilities. While during early 2021, the Prime Minister
Organization (BRO), which completed 102 projects in the year. laid foundation stone of two major bridge projects across River
Most of these projects are near India’s international borders, with Brahmaputra today. This fulfilled the long pending demand of the
the majority being close to the India-China border. These roads, people of Assam and Meghalaya. He said, 91 road works of 1,300
highways, tunnels and bridges connect remote border areas to kms worth `8,000 crore have been completed in the State during
the mainland despite challenges posed by inhospitable terrain, the last six years, while works worth `20,000 crore will be completed
inclement weather and the COVID-19 pandemic. These projects, by the year 2022. Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of two
such as the world’s longest highway tunnel above 10,000 feet major bridge projects across River Brahmaputra. The 2-lane major
– Atal Tunnel – connecting Manali to Lahaul-Spiti Valley provide bridge over Brahmaputra River between Majuli (Kamalabari) and
for connectivity throughout the year. Similar payoffs are from the Jorhat (Nimati Ghat) (6.8 km) on NH-71 5K, costing `25.47 crore,
Kailash Mansarovar Road- connecting Line of Actual Control (LAC) will provide easy and all-time access to the people living in Majuli
in Uttarakhand and opening a new route via Lipulekh Pass along town with rest of Assam. The bridge is expected to be completed
Indo-China borders, and improving the Zojila Pass tunnel between by March 2025. The 4-lane Dhubri (Assam) – Phulbari (Meghalaya)
Kashmir Valley and Ladakh region. The BRO completed 50 bridges Bridge to be constructed on River Brahamputra on NH-127B, costing
including six in Jammu and Kashmir in the year 2020. `4997 crore, will reduce travel distance from 205 km to only 19 km
M. Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India, stressed the and travel time from 6 hours to 20 minutes. The bridge will provide
importance of better road connectivity in the North Eastern another alternative link to Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura
region to fully tap its tourism potential, and Barak valley region of Assam with the rest of the country. This
ease the transport of goods, improve project is expected to be completed by September 2028.
delivery of services and contribute to the A while back, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin
overall development of the region. In this Gadkari, also inaugurated and laid foundation stone for 16 National
regard, Naidu called for fast-tracking all the Highway Projects in Manipur with an investment of `4,148 crore
developmental activities in the North Eastern covering total length of 298 kms. The projects will provide all
states, utilizing the funds provided by the weather connectivity to Manipur with the rest of the country and
Centre for various projects with transparency and accountability. “If the Neighboring countries. They will boost agricultural, industrial and
we can expedite all projects here- without delay or diversion, North socio-economic progress of the region. These will also facilitate
Eastern states have the potential to become the growth engines of health care and emergency service to the remotest of the areas
the country”, Naidu emphasized. He stressed that “development of and generate employment and self-employment opportunities.
the country is incomplete without the development of North East. Inaugurating the projects in Imphal, Gadkari said projects worth
Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently launched a raft of `5000 crore have also been sanctioned for the state and the
development projects in the North East. He was quoted as saying Detailed Project Reports (DPR) will be completed within six months
during laying the foundation stone for 22 development projects and the work will start in a year’s time. He said expansion of
worth `4,815 crore in Manipur, “The Northeast will become the Highways in the state will be recommended under the Bharatmala
driver of India’s growth story.” He also laid the foundation stone of Phase ll. He said Prime Minister is giving highest priority to the north
five national highway construction projects, government residential east and road infrastructure will contribute to the development of
quarters, Manipur Institute of Performing Arts, Centre for Invention, Manipur and make it socially and economically strong.

24 CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES|FEBRUARY 2022