New Delhi [India], August 25 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday held a detailed meeting with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in the national capital and discussed a range of issues concerning Assam's road infrastructure, with particular emphasis on restoring flood-damaged National Highways and making the State's highway network more resilient to floods and flash floods.
According to an official release, the Chief Minister said the discussions focused on the immediate restoration of flood-damaged National Highways as well as long-term measures to strengthen highway infrastructure. He stressed the need for evidence-based planning in the design and placement of culverts and bridges to improve drainage and minimise the impact of floods on road connectivity.
"Our discussions focused on restoring flood-damaged National Highways at the earliest and building more flood-resilient highways, using evidence-based planning to improve the design and placement of culverts and bridges," the Chief Minister said in a post on X following the meeting.
https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/2091908540889973006
The recurring problem of flash flooding at Jorabat also figured prominently in the discussions. The Chief Minister sought a comprehensive redesign of the highway infrastructure at Jorabat to address the problem in a sustainable manner, a release said.
The meeting also reviewed the progress and acceleration of several flagship road projects in Assam, including the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor and the Guwahati Ring Road, besides the upgradation of key highway stretches across the State.
The Chief Minister said the discussions also covered the need to accelerate these projects and expressed gratitude to Gadkari for his continued support to Assam's road infrastructure. "Grateful for the Hon'ble Minister's assurance of the highest consideration and continued support in strengthening Assam's road infrastructure," he said.
Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita was also present at the meeting.
Senior officials of the Government of Assam, including Chief Secretary Ravi Kota and Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister K K Dwivedi, as well as senior officials of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, were present during the meeting, a release added.