Kaziranga elevated corridor to reduce Upper Assam–Guwahati travel time : CM Himanta Biswa Sarma
PM Narendra Modi lays foundation stone for Kaziranga Elevated Corridor, four-laning of Kaliabor–Numaligarh NH; flags off two Amrit Bharat Express trains
Three major rail services gifted to Assam in two days: CM Sarma
Assam will never forget PM Modi’s role in development and globalising Assamese culture: CM
Giving a major boost to Assam’s development while prioritising environmental conservation and wildlife protection, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid the foundation stone for the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor and the four-laning of the Kaliabor–Numaligarh section of National Highway 715 at Kaliabor in Nagaon district. The Prime Minister also virtually flagged off two Amrit Bharat Express trains in the presence of Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya and Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The projects aim to enhance seamless connectivity while safeguarding the ecology and rich biodiversity of Kaziranga National Park. The initiative includes construction of a 35-km-long elevated corridor through Kaziranga and upgradation of the Kaliabor–Numaligarh stretch of NH-715, with an estimated investment of around Rs. 6,957 crore. Implemented in accordance with directions of the Supreme Court and recommendations of the Wildlife Institute of India, the project will ensure safe movement of wildlife and significantly reduce road accidents and human–animal conflict. Passing through Nagaon, Karbi Anglong and Golaghat districts, the corridor is expected to bring a transformative change in connectivity across Upper Assam. The modern infrastructure is also expected to open new avenues for eco-tourism and cultural tourism and generate employment opportunities for local youth. The project is targeted for completion within 36 months.
Meanwhile, the two Amrit Bharat Express trains virtually flagged off by the Prime Minister will significantly strengthen rail connectivity between the North-East and North India. The Dibrugarh–Gomti Nagar Amrit Bharat Express will cover a distance of 1,894 km in about 42 hours, improving connectivity between Assam, West Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The Kamakhya–Rohtak Amrit Bharat Express will cover 1,956 km in about 38 hours, benefiting rail passengers from Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Haryana with safer and faster travel.
Addressing a massive public gathering at Mouchanda Pathar in Kaliabor, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said Assam had reached a historic milestone in its journey towards building a new Assam. He said it was once unimaginable that a Prime Minister would approve a nearly Rs. 7,000-crore to build a 35-km-long elevated corridor through Kaziranga solely to protect wildlife. Calling it an unprecedented gift, he said Prime Minister Modi had personally come to Kaliabor to present it to the people of Assam.
Highlighting Kaliabor’s historical significance, the Chief Minister said folklore holds that Lord Krishna rested at Kaliabor while taking Rukmini of Assam to Dwarka in Gujarat. He said the Prime Minister’s presence on the sacred land symbolised the reaffirmation of the historic bond between Assam and Gujarat.
Dr. Sarma recalled that a day earlier at Guwahati’s Sarusajai Stadium, more than 10,000 artistes showcased the vibrant Bodo culture through Bagurumba, taking Assam’s cultural heritage to the global stage. He said that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, Assam had secured a semiconductor industry, a bio-refinery and one of the country’s largest fertiliser plants, besides achieving UNESCO World Heritage Site status for Charaideo, classical language status for Assamese, and installation of a grand statue of Lachit Borphukan marking the rise of a new and confident Assam.
The Chief Minister said the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor would reduce travel time between Upper Assam and Guwahati by at least one hour, strengthen connectivity and further reinforce the foundation of a stronger Assam. He asserted that Assam now dreams big and those dreams would be realised despite opposition and misinformation.
Referring to the flagging off of the country’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train between Guwahati and Kolkata a day earlier, Dr. Sarma said that with the inauguration of two Amrit Bharat Express services, Assam had received three major rail services in just two days. On behalf of the people of the State, he expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister.
The Chief Minister also noted that projects such as multiple bridges over the Brahmaputra, medical colleges in almost every district, new universities, the Numaligarh–Gohpur tunnel road, the Kaziranga elevated corridor, the Rs. 22,000 crore Silchar–Guwahati corridor and the Guwahati Ring Road once seemed unimaginable. He said Assam had now entered a new horizon of development and would never forget Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s contribution in steering the State on the path of progress and taking Assamese language, Bihu, Jhumoir, Bagurumba and the State’s cultural heritage to the world.
The programme was attended by Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita, ministers of the Assam Government Atul Bora, Charan Boro, Krishnendu Paul and Keshab Mahanta; MPs Kamakhya Prasad Tasa and Dilip Saikia, MLA Diplu Ranjan Sarma, several other MPs and MLAs, distinguished guests and thousands of people from across the State.
