Agartala, Apr 24: Tripura has witnessed a robust change in connectivity, particularly in highway infrastructure, over the past few years following the HIRA model promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Strong connectivity is primary condition for development of any state and the HIRA model is based on connectivity; it refers to Highways, Internet, Railways and Airways.
At the same time, when the double-engine government's vision for strengthening the national highways is bringing in a positive outcome, Chief Minister Prof. (Dr) Manik Saha's efforts are speeding up the process and taking the goal of building a prosperous Tripura to the next level.
There was a time when the state had only one national highway that too was lying in a miserable condition. As a result, transportation of essential goods and normal traffic was badly disrupted, affecting the economic growth. With the improved highway infrastructure, the double-engine government has changed the whole scenario iver the past few years.
Condition of all the existing highways has been improved on a priority basis. Besides, Dr. Manik Saha's efforts have been successful in sanctioning new NH projects. Similarly, he also laid equal importance on improving the road connectivity in both the rural and urban areas.
At present, works for six national highways (around 888 km) are going on in the state while more four highways (229.25 km) have recently been approved in-principal by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on request of the Chief Minister.
On the other hand, upgradation works for four-lane National Highways from Churaibari to Agartala, Amtali to Sabroom, Khowai to Agartala are underway. A total of Rs 2236.59 crore was recently sanctioned for these projects by the Union Minister.
According to an official report, upgradation of various portions of the National Highways (toral length is around 259.812 km) is going on at the project cost of Rs. 3913.27 crore.
The report also said, while improvement/ widening of NH in various parts of the state (total length 231.57 km) has already been completed at the cost of Rs. 2304.49 crore, more projects for upgradation of road infrastructure (total length 171.18 km) would take place in the state at an expenditure of Rs. 3235 crore.
Recently, the Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari shared glimpses of the ongoing works in Tripura from his official social media handles.
"In Agartala, we are currently undertaking the refurbishment and enhancement of the Agartala-Khowai section (PKG-I) of the NH-108B. This will involve upgrading it to a 2-lane road with a paved shoulder. The project is part of our commitment, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, to facilitate seamless connectivity in the northeast region and stimulate economic growth in the area," he tweeted.
Along with the highways, Tripura is also scaling a new high in other modes of connectivity-- railways and airways. The state is expected to get international rail and air connectivity with Bangladesh very soon as Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha is making special efforts for the same.