“The CCEA gave its approval for the construction of new 4556 m long, 6-lane high level and extra dosed cable stayed bridge across river Ganga (parallel to western side of existing Digha-Sonepur rail-cum road bridge) and its approaches on both sides in the districts of Patna and Saran (NH-139W) in Bihar on EPC mode,” it said, adding that the total cost for the project is Rs 3,064.45 crore which includes civil construction cost of Rs 2,233.81 crore.
Besides, the also gave its approval for improvement and widening to two lane with paved shoulder of 134.91 km road from Khowai to Harina on NH-208 in Tripura.
“The project involves investment of Rs 2,486.78 crore which includes a loan component of Rs 1,511.70 crore,” it said, adding that the loan assistant will be from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the official development assistance (ODA) scheme.
“The project is envisaged to facilitate better road connectivity between various parts of Tripura and to provide alternative access to Assam and Meghalaya from Tripura apart from existing NH-8,” it said.
The construction period for the project stretches will be two years and will also include maintenance of these national highways stretches for five years (in the case of flexible pavement) and 10 years (in the case of rigid pavement) after completion of construction.According to the statement, the road project in Tripura has been selected based on the necessity of providing smooth and motorable roads after considering socio economic needs of the region. “Development of the project stretch of NH-208 would not only improve Interstate connectivity between Assam and Tripura via NH-208A but also reduce the transit time and provide safer connectivity for the travellers,”, it said, adding that since the project stretch also passes very close to Bangladesh border, it would improve connectivity to Bangladesh through Kailashahar, Kamalpur and Khowai Border Check Post.
“The land border trade would also potentially grow with the improvement in road network in the region through development of the project road besides improved connectivity to agricultural belt, tourist places, religious places and tribal districts of the state, which are backward in terms of growth and income,” it said, adding improved connectivity will help to generate more revenue to the state as well as income for local public.
