Weak links in NE NHs identified

NEW DELHI, Feb 20 – The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has completed the exercise of identifying weak links on the National Highways in the North-east zeroing in on 243 bridges and 355 culverts out of which 58 bridges and 98 culverts are in Assam. The Union Minister for MoRTH, Major General (Retd) B C Khanduri disclosed in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha that these bridges and culverts so identified are planned to be taken up for reconstruction during the 10th Five Year Plan period subject to availability of funds. Meanwhile, the Minister of Department for Development of the North Eastern Region (DONER), Dr C P Thakur said that Assam Government’s proposal for construction of a RCC bridge over Doria channel in North Lakhimpur-Kamalabari Road in Majuli Island estimated to cost Rs 3.23 crore has not been sanctioned. Considering the competing demands from other priority sectors like power, urban development, health and water supply and considering the resources constraints and already committed liability in the road sector in Assam, the proposal has not been taken up during the current financial year, the Minister told Dr Arun Kumar Sarma. Survey for the bridge over Lohit and Kabuli has been completed. Model study has been taken up by University of Roorkee.