Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday described the foundation stone laying of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a historic milestone in the state’s development journey.
The 35-km elevated corridor aims to enhance connectivity between Central and Upper Assam while safeguarding the rich biodiversity of the Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the one-horned rhinoceros.
“It was once unimaginable that a Prime Minister would approve funds of nearly Rs 7,000 crore to build an elevated corridor through Kaziranga solely to protect wildlife,” Sarma said during the PM’s visit to launch development projects in Nagaon district. “This is an unprecedented gift, and the PM had personally come to Kaliabor to present it to the people of Assam. This will give a major boost to Assam’s development while prioritising environmental conservation and wildlife protection.”
The project, in line with Supreme Court directives and Wildlife Institute of India recommendations, will ensure safe movement of wildlife, reduce road accidents, and mitigate human-animal conflict. Passing through Nagaon, Karbi Anglong and Golaghat districts, the corridor is expected to be completed within 36 months.
Also read: PM Modi lays foundation stone for Kaziranga elevated corridor
During the visit, Modi also laid the foundation stone for four-laning the Kaliabor–Numaligarh section of NH-715 and virtually flagged off two Amrit Bharat Express trains. The Dibrugarh-Gomti Nagar service will cover 1,894 km in 42 hours, while the Kamakhya-Rohtak train will cover 1,956 km in 38 hours, significantly improving rail connectivity between Assam, the North-East and other regions of India.
Sarma also highlighted Assam’s cultural and industrial milestones under Modi’s leadership, noting that the state had secured a semiconductor industry, a bio-refinery, one of the country’s largest fertiliser plants, and celebrated UNESCO recognition for Charaideo and classical language status for Assamese. He further praised the performance of over 10,000 artistes in the Bagurumba dance at Guwahati’s Sarusajai Stadium, showcasing Assam’s rich heritage globally.
“The Kaziranga Elevated Corridor will reduce travel time between Upper Assam and Guwahati by at least an hour, strengthen connectivity and reinforce the foundation of a stronger Assam,” Sarma said. “Assam now dreams big, and these will be realised despite opposition and misinformation.”
Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Union Ministers Sarbananda Sonowal and Pabitra Margherita, state ministers and senior officials attended the event.
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