NHAI East West corridor pushing ahead

Bongaigaon, Asom, Apr 28 : The East West corridor of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), linking NorthEast region with rest of India with a four lane highway, is marching ahead despite teething problems.

The work has started in almost all the packages stretching from Srirampur to Silchar and it is expected to go full steam from October, once the monsoon is over.

The Project Director of the Srirampur-Pathsala stretch Mr Raj Chakrvarty of NHAI, informed that despite hiccups in logistical and nature front, this massive project has taken off.

''You can see the mobilisation and documentation work of the project throughout the stretch as very heavy mobilisation has started,'' he said.

Under the project, the existing two lanes would be converted to four lanes with latest state-of-art technology specially considering the long monsoon spell which generally damages the road building technology.

The total Silchar to Porbandar stretch of the project is 3465 kilometer, of which around 731 kilometer will be in Asom, which is scheduled to be completed by 2008.

The four-lane highway will go from Srirampur to Silchar via Rakhaldubi, Baihata Chariali, Guwahati Bypass, Nagaon, Doboka, Lumding and Maibong.

The Jalukabri to Khanapara stretch of the National Highway 37 was already completed. The project, which has been billed as the biggest of the independent India, involves huge land acquisition, beside requirement of shifting of utilities by different government, semi government agencies.

According to Mr Chakravarty the project, once completed would bring a sea change to economy of the whole region, as greater mobility would ensure faster development.

Already compensation process has started and the land owner near the National Highway are being given direct cheques as compensation as well as to avoid misunderstanding.

Further compensation for deforestation near the highway as well as afforestation due to the felling of trees has also started.

He also informed that throughout the stretch there would be an extra set of bridges, which will run parallel to the existing bridges. The NHAI will maintain the existing the road till the completion of project. Once the new lane would be completed then the existing lane would be strengthened.

UNI