The Centre has approved Rs 747.72 crore for 26 road and bridge projects in Assam, with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announcing the sanction on February 13 under the Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) and Setu Bandhan schemes to enhance connectivity, cut travel times, and drive socio-economic growth in the state.
The allocation breaks down into Rs 617.98 crore for 10 road development projects under the CRIF scheme and Rs 129.74 crore for 16 bridge projects under the CRIF Setu Bandhan scheme. The total comes to Rs 747.72 crore.
Gadkari posted on X: “In Assam, Rs 617.98 Cr. has been approved for 10 road development projects under the Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) Scheme. Additionally, Rs 129.74 Cr. has been sanctioned for 16 bridge projects under the CRIF Setu Bandhan Scheme.”
These initiatives aim to strengthen regional connectivity, improve transportation efficiency, facilitate smoother movement of goods and people, and reduce travel time across Assam. The projects will link remote areas more effectively with urban centres, supporting trade, commerce, and overall economic activity in the northeastern state.
The announcement follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled day-long visit to Assam on February 14, during which he will inaugurate several major infrastructure projects, including the Rs 3,000-crore Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu over the Brahmaputra, the Northeast's first highway-based Emergency Landing Facility at Moran, the temporary campus of IIM-Guwahati, and a national data centre.
Also read: PM to open Moran ELF, ₹3k-cr Brahmaputra bridge tomorrow
The central funding aligns with ongoing state-level efforts to bolster infrastructure. On February 12, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated and laid foundation stones for multiple projects worth over Rs 2,218 crore in Majuli district.
These included the Majuli-Jorhat connecting highway, a 702.30-metre bridge over the Lohit River at Dhunaguri, the academic building and girls’ hostel of Majuli Cultural University, an integrated office complex for key district officials, a Government Model Degree College, the Dakhinpat Satra Museum, and the Jyoti Bishnu Cultural Complex.
Sarma also distributed seed capital cheques to 31,952 women entrepreneurs under relevant schemes during the visit, emphasising Majuli's transformation through improved road links, flood-resilient structures, and enhanced public services.
The combined central and state initiatives reflect a focused push to modernise Assam's transport network amid preparations for assembly elections later in 2026.
Improved connectivity is expected to accelerate development in riverine and hilly regions, boost tourism in cultural hubs like Majuli, and integrate the state more seamlessly into national economic corridors.
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