Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stones for two major infrastructure projects in Assam — the Kaziranga elevated wildlife corridor and the Kokrajhar–Gelephu railway link — during a proposed visit to the State in January, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday.
Speaking at a public function in Guwahati, Mr. Sarma said the projects are aimed at boosting connectivity within Assam and strengthening cross-border links with Bhutan. The Prime Minister is expected to formally launch the projects as part of the Centre’s focus on infrastructure-led development in the Northeast.
The Kaziranga elevated corridor, spanning around 32 kilometres, will pass through the Kaziranga National Park area as part of the four-laning of the Kaliabor–Numaligarh stretch of National Highway-715. The project is designed to facilitate smooth vehicular movement while ensuring minimal disruption to wildlife movement in the ecologically sensitive region.
The corridor, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs earlier this year, is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion along the busy highway section and improve road safety, especially during the peak tourist season.
The Kokrajhar–Gelephu railway link, proposed to be around 69 kilometres long, will connect Assam with Bhutan for the first time by rail. The project is expected to enhance trade, tourism and people-to-people contact between the two countries and strengthen India’s neighbourhood connectivity initiatives.
According to the State government, the railway line will play a key role in improving economic activity in western Assam and the Bodoland Territorial Region while opening new avenues for regional cooperation with Bhutan.
The Chief Minister also indicated that the Prime Minister is likely to visit Assam again in February to inaugurate additional infrastructure projects, including major bridges and airport facilities, as part of ongoing development initiatives in the State.
The proposed January visit underlines the Centre’s emphasis on accelerating infrastructure development in Assam and the wider Northeast region.
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