Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Announces a new 3 km long four-lane bridge on Brahmaputra River in Kamrup District

Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman today announced in Guwahati that Government of India has approved the construction of a 3 km long 4-lane bridge on Brahmaputra river in Kamrup district. The bridge will be constructed at an estimated total cost of Rs 3094 crores, said the Finance Minister. Smt. Sithraman added that the bridge will facilitate direct connectivity to the internationally renowned silk town of Sualkuchi and the industrial region of Amingaon with Guwahati and the International airport. The bridge will decongest the city of Guwahati and increase transport efficiency thus helping in cutting down travel time for daily commutators from the adjoining districts of Nalbari and Barpeta travelling to Guwahati, she said.

Smt. Sitharaman also said that the project will also help in river bank erosion and bring about improving transportation efficiency towards economic development of the state.

The Union Finance Minister made this announcement while launching the RTPS(Right to Public services) Portal here today. This portal seeks to improve access in the delivery of selected public services in Assam. Launching the portal the minister said that the initiatives that have been undertaken by the government in Assam has given a good push to various infrastructure related activities. It is very impressive to see the pace in which the developmental projects are moving in the state, she said. She appreciated the state government for the overall, holistic, inclusive and developmental approach for the growth of the State.

The FinanceMinister also inaugurated the Excise and tax portal of the Government of Assam, as part of the ASPIRe project, which is funded by the World Bank. This project will also benefit the citizens of Assam through efficient processes and better service delivery provided by public institutions and enhanced transparency.

Gracing the occasion, the Chief minister of Assam Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma  said that his government is working to bring about fast, effective and resilient reform in governance and initiatives are being taken by the government to provide services at the doorstep of the people. Terming the launching of the  RTPS as the shining moment in the history of public services in the state he said that the dream of this government is to complete every project on time.

Earlier today, the Union Finance Minister Smt. Sitharaman inspected the New Development Bank (NDB) assisted Guwahati-North Guwahati bridge project.

The Union Finance Minister Smt. Sitharaman also took part in the Bhumi Pujan ceremony of 120 MW Lower Kopili Hydro Electric Project at Longku, Dima Hasao today.

This project will add to Assam’s power generation capacity from clean hydroelectric source and improve electricity availability. Further, it is hoped that affordable and clean electricity facilitated through the project will help improve living conditions, promote business expansion, and increase employment opportunities in Assam. 

In another event Smt. Sitharaman laid foundation stone of upgradation work of 90km road from Haflong Tiniali to Lower Haflong, under the Asian Development Bank aided Assam Road Network Improvement Project (ARNIP) in Dima Hasao.

The estimated cost of the project is $375 million, which includes $300 million assistance from Asian Development Bank. The project includes improvement and upgradation of about 313km State Highways and Major District Roads & road safety improvement of 200km. The improved road infrastructure will facilitate tourist footfall in the region and drive economic growth.