Land acquisition for the Umiam (Barapani)-Silchar high-speed corridor project has begun in Assam, Chief Secretary Ravi Kota informed on Thursday.“About 85 percent of the land for the project falls in Meghalaya and acquisition of the same would be completed by the Meghalaya government under norms of the hill council. Acquisition of the remaining 15 percent land falling in Assam has already begun,” Kota said, while addressing mediapersons during a New Year programme in Guwahati. The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has completed the planning process for the project.
“The environmental clearance is expected within the next four to five weeks. Tenders for the project will be floated before February 28. The highway is expected to be completed within 48 months from the start of construction,” he said. Assam Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the express highway would considerably reduce travel time between Guwahati and Silchar. “There is a proposal for a six-lane project between Guwahati and Byrnihat as well. So, once these projects are completed, connectivity between Barak Valley and the rest of Assam will significantly improve while travel time will be reduced to just six hours,” he said.
The Union Cabinet had earlier cleared the development of a high-speed corridor between Umiam and Silchar at an estimated cost of Rs 22,864 crore.The 166.80-km, four-lane, access-controlled greenfield highway will be developed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode. The stretch will run from Mawlyngkhung near Umiam Lake in Meghalaya to Panchgram near Silchar in Assam, with 144.80 km passing through Meghalaya and 22 km through Assam. The corridor forms part of National Highway-06.
