Floods damaged over 25 pc of NHs

NEW DELHI, Aug 19?The devastating floods in Assam has left 25 per cent of the total length of the National Highway (NH) damaged following which the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has released Rs 8.56 crore ad hoc payment to the State Government. The Minister of State divulged this for Road Transport and Highways, K H Muniyappa in reply to a question by Syeda Anwara Taimur in the Rajya Sabha today. Nearly 25 per cent of the total length of NHs in Assam was adversely affected due to submergence, washing away of culverts, breach in embankment, damages to road crusts and bridges. The amount of ad hoc payment released to Assam Government for carrying out immediate restoration of flood damages to maintain the NH in traffic worthy condition. The State Government has been requested to prepare detailed proposals for restoration of flood damages for approval. It may be recalled here that Centre has already promised all necessary assistance to the State Government to tackle the situation. The Union Finance Minister last week released an ad hoc payment of Rs 200 crore to the State to meet the expenditures of running the relief camps and providing health care facilities.