Assam CM meets Gadkari, seeks help for key projects

New Delhi (IANS). Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met Union Minister Nitin Gadkari at his official residence in Delhi on Monday.

The Chief Minister sought Gadkari’s help in expediting key infrastructure projects like the underwater tunnel between Gohpur and Numaligarh Guwahati Ring Road, Kaziranga Elevated Corridor in Assam and four-laning of various national highways in the state.

The Union Minister assured that his ministry would extend all possible help in expediting major infrastructure projects in Assam. After meeting the Union Minister, the CM tweeted, “It is always enriching to meet the Honorable Union Minister and one gets to learn a lot. I sought his help in expediting major infrastructure projects like the underwater tunnel between Gohpur and Numaligarh Guwahati Ring Road, Kaziranga Elevated Corridor in Assam and four laning of various national highways in the state.

As per reports, the elevated corridors in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) were discussed in depth in the meeting. Monsoon floods are an annual occurrence in KNPTR, where animals always face a lot of trouble during summer. A large part of the park is submerged in flood water, reducing the space for the animals.

Then the animals usually cross the national highway and move towards Karbi Anglong hills in search of shelter. In this sequence, speeding vehicles often hit the animals, which has resulted in many deaths over the years. To avoid the death of animals, the state government has planned to build an elevated corridor on the national highway for the movement of animals while going towards Karbi Hills.

A senior forest official said the elevated corridor would ensure the safety of wild animals to a great extent as they move between the Karbi hills and the national park with the onset of summer.

With the construction of an elevated corridor across the Kaziranga National Park, animals can move freely through the underpass.