Government signs loan agreement with JICA for North-East Road Network Connectivity Improvement Project, Phase III

The Government of India has signed a loan agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency for procuring Rs 16.4 billion (JPY 25.48 billion) for the North-East Road Network Connectivity Improvement Project (Phase III). The tender for consultancy works is likely to be issued by October 2019 while that for civil works is likely to be issued by January 2020. The project involves the construction of a 20 km long two/four-lane bridge (including approach roads of 10 km) connecting Dhubri (on the North Bank) and Phulbari (on the South Bank) with Srirampur on NH-31(C) over the Brahmaputra river in the states of Assam and Meghalaya. It is being implemented by National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited on an engineering, procurement and construction basis at an estimated cost of Rs 30 billion. The project, which aims to promote interregional and intra-regional connectivity and boost economic development in the region, is expected to be completed by September 2028.