Question : NATIONAL HIGHWAYS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN NER

(a) the status of the progress made in the implementation of the NHDP in the NER showing sectoral targets and achievements during Tenth Five Year Plan and the targets fixed for future;

(b) whether the Government is contemplating conversion of the proposed two-lane bridge at Saraighat to a four lane bridge under NHDP;

(c) if so, the details of the status of the project;

(d) if not, the means by which the Government proposes to manage future growth of traffic on this bridge; and

(e) the status of the proposal for improvement of NH-52 from Pasighat in order to connect Dirak-Rupai as well as four laning of NH-52 upto Banderdowa under NHDP?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING, ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI K.H. MUNIYAPPA)

(a) A total 690 km length of National Highways (NHs) forming the part of East-West (E-W) corridor has been taken up for four laning under the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) in the North Eastern Region. Out of this, 19 km length has already been four laned, 423 kms length is under the implementation and for the rest 248 km length, action for award of work has already been initiated. The entire work of four laning is likely to be completed by year 2008. The work of preparation of detailed project report (DPR) is in progress for four laning of NHs under NHDP - Phase-III under Built Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis.

(b),(c),(d) There is a proposal to construct a new three lane road bridge across river Brahmaputra at downstream of the existing Rail-cum-Road bridge at Saraighat (near Guwahati) on NH-31.

(e) Double laning of NH-52 from Passighat to Rupai has been included in a proposed `Special Accelerated Road Development Programme in North Eastern Region (SARDP-NE)`, of this Ministry. The preparation of DPR for four laning from Baihatacharali to Banderdewa section of NH-52 is in progress under NHDP- Phase-III on BOT basis.