NEW DELHI, March 28: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has assured that all ongoing national highway (NH) projects in the northeastern states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Tripura are scheduled for completion by 2028. This statement came in response to a query by UPPL MP Joyanta Basumatary in the Lok Sabha regarding the status of the NH projects in the region.

According to data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, there are currently 186 ongoing NH projects across these five northeastern states, covering a total of 3,582 kilometers, with a total investment of Rs 77,362 crore. Assam leads the pack with 66 ongoing projects, sanctioned at Rs 39,239 crore, covering 1,139 km.

In the financial year 2024-25, 31 NH projects were completed in the region, spanning 389 km at a cost of Rs 4,352 crore. The allocated funds for the development and maintenance of NHs in the northeastern states for the year 2024-25 are as follows: Assam (Rs 5,239 crore), Arunachal Pradesh (Rs 3,488 crore), Nagaland (Rs 1,227 crore), Manipur (Rs 1,508 crore), and Tripura (Rs 514 crore).

Despite challenges such as land acquisition, environmental clearances, and utility relocations, the Ministry is dedicated to completing all ongoing National Highway projects in the five northeastern states by 2028. Efforts are underway to streamline land acquisition processes and address potential delays to ensure timely completion.

Additionally, approximately 1,700 km of roads under NH projects, sanctioned at a cost exceeding Rs 43,000 crore, are yet to commence in these states. The government revealed that 58 NH projects in the region are still pending approval, with Arunachal Pradesh having the largest share, with 35 pending projects covering a road length of 1,230 km, at a cost of Rs 26,550 crore.