Assam to push for four more highway emergency facilities, says Himanta Biswa Sarma
While talking to media persons on Sunday, Sarma said, “No Prime Minister will say that my heart is with the people of Assam, instead he will say that we will defeat the enemy from Assam, such is the infrastructure preparations that the government of India and the state government are undertaking in Northeast India and Assam.”
Sarma emphasized that the Northeast is a sensitive and strategically important region. “The Northeast is connected to the rest of India through a 22 km line (Siliguri Corridor). Any disruption in this corridor during a conflict situation could impact connectivity. We are creating multiple layers of infrastructure to ensure uninterrupted communication and mobility.”
On Saturday, the Prime Minister landed at the emergency runway at Moran in a Hercules C-130 J aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
While many warplanes belonging to the Indian Air Force flew over the field, aircraft such as Sukhoi 30 MKI, Rafale and the Indian Air Force’s domestically-made Advanced Light Helicopter also flew.
Sarma said Moran ELF, located 200 km from China and 70 km from the Myanmar border, is a high-risk project that will provide strategic security to the Northeast region. Inaugurating it in the presence of Air Chief Marshal, the Prime Minister gave a very strong message that India is ready for anything on this front.
Sarma also emphasized that infrastructure has become the first target in modern warfare. “Alternative facilities are vital if air bases or airports are hit. ELF ensures that aircraft, including fighter jets, can operate in emergency situations. It is a strategic asset and is useful for civilians during disasters like floods.”He added that the state government wants further development of such facilities in Assam, especially in flood-prone and remote areas, to ensure dual civil and military use.
“In 1962, a message spread that Assam could not be protected,” Sarma said.
Sarma also stated that a new Army base has been developed in Dhubri to strengthen security coverage in western Assam. “We did not have an Army base from Hasimara in West Bengal to Rangia in Assam. The Prime Minister also announced that the state will soon sign a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Civil Aviation to explore the possibility of developing four new airports at Majuli, Diphu, Umrangso and Manas.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the construction of 4-Lane Access Controlled Greenfield link from Gohpur on NH-15 to Numaligarh on section 715 inclusive of Km 15.79. The Road and Rail Tunnel under the Brahmaputra River will be developed in Assam for Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) at a total capital cost of Rs 18.662 billion.
Sarma said this will be India’s first and the world’s second road and railway tunnel, which will pass under the Brahmaputra at a depth of 57 meters.
“We need this project as the northeast is strategic. The project is fully supported by the Indian Army. It has four stakeholders: Assam government, Indian Army, National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited and Indian Railways. We had a series of meetings with the army chief and NSA Ajit Doval.”
He detailed the Centre’s plans to build an underground railway line along the “Chicken Neck”, emphasizing that this would secure railway facilities.
He said the next effort would be to build a highway under this area. “During the Anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protest, someone from JNU raised a slogan saying that we will cut off Northeast India from mainland India.”
He added that strategic infrastructures have been established in Arunachal Pradesh. Railway tracks will be constructed up to Tawang. Construction of two highways continues. Assam is a reserve state. Assam’s proposal to build a national highway connecting the Jagiroad semiconductor unit to Bhutan is under active consideration.”
Sarma said several infrastructures, including Guwahati Ring Road, Kuruwa-Narengi bridge, Kaziranga corridor and the proposed Silchar-Shillong-Guwahati high-speed expressway, have been discussed. The Prime Minister added that the elevated corridor from Guwahati Airport to Jalukbari is in advanced stages.
He announced that the construction of the Kamakhya corridor will begin soon after receiving approval from the Guwahati High Court.
