CCEA approves proposal to widen Khowai-Harina road in Tripura

The 134.913 kms of Khowai-Harina road would be improved and widened with an investment of Rs 2,486.78 crore and a loan component of Rs 1,511.70 crore JICA

In some good news for Tripura, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in its meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday gave approval for the improvement and widening of the road stretch from Khowai to Harina on NH-208 to a two-lane road. The stretch covers a total length of 134.913 kms.

The widening and improvement would be done at an estimated cost of Rs 2,486.78 crore which includes a loan component of Rs 1,511.70 crore from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under Official Development Assistance (ODA) scheme, an official release said.

The project is envisaged to facilitate better road connectivity in Tripura and provide alternative access to Assam and Meghalaya from Tripura apart from NH-8.

“The Development of the project stretch of NH-208 would not only improve interstate connectivity between Assam and Tripura via NH-208A but also reduce the transit time and provide safer connectivity for the travelers”, the release said.

The road stretch to be upgraded is close to the Bangladesh border and is expected to improve connectivity to Bangladesh through Kailashahar, Kamalpur and Khowai Border Check Post. The land border trade would also potentially grow with the improvement in road network in the region through development of the project road.

“The selected stretch is providing improved connectivity to agricultural belt, tourist places, religious places and tribal districts of the state, which are backward in terms of growth and income. After completion of the project, the connectivity will be improved which help to generate more revenue to the State as well as income for local public.

The construction period for the project stretches will be 2 years which includes the maintenance of these National Highways stretches for 5 years (in the case of flexible pavement)/ 10 years (in the case of rigid pavement) after completion of construction,” the release said.

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