Entire NH-37 from zero point to East-West corridor upto Jiribam to be upgraded to 4-lane road

Dec. 20: There has been a huge traffic congestion on NH-37 (old NH-53) from zero point to East-West corridor, Madhura Bridge, Rampur, Silchar to Jiribam, Manipur. It is in this backdrop that Lakhipur MLA Kaushik Rai raised the issue in the 1st day of the winter session of Assam Legislative Assembly. The Unstarred Q. No.13 was asked by MLA Rai on the issue of Upgradation of Road NH-37 into 4-lane road.

Along with this, Kaushik Rai further asked whether the Government has any proposal for construction of Banskandi Bye-pass and Pailapool Bye-pass on NH-37 due to heavy traffic in market areas? He also queried about the present status of proposed Silghat Bridge over Barak River under Lakhipur Territorial Road Division, Cachar.

To this, the concerned Minister offered his reply on 21 December. He stated that the portion from Km. 0.00 to Km. 2.65 has already been upgraded to 4-lane road. The remaining portion from Km. 2.65 to Km. 3.35 near East-West Corridor, Madhurapool Bridge has already been proposed for upgrading to 4-lane under Annual Plan 2021-22 and the estimate is under process at Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Govt. of India. For the balance major portion from Km. 3.35 up to Km. 44.66 (Jiribam, bordering Manipur state), currently there is no such proposal.

As regards construction of Banskandi Bye-pass and Pailapool Bye-pass on NH-37, the minister stated that there is no such proposal under APWD (NH Works) till date. About the present status of proposed Silghat Bridge over Barak River under Lakhipur Territorial Road Division, Cachar, the minister stated that the proposed Silghat Bridge over Barak River under Lakhipur Territorial Road Division, Cachar is yet to be sanctioned.