MAJULI: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, in his speech, termed the day as historic as the dream of Majuli's people for a bridge over the Brahmaputra connecting Majuli with Jorhat is going to be realised and he thanked the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari for this initiative. He also said that the Rs 3,200 crore Mahabahu-Brahmaputra project would harness the potential of both the Barak and the Brahmaputra Rivers and strengthen economic foundation of the State.
He said, "Due to the peace, unity and harmony prevalent among all sections of the society, Assam has been making a steady progress under the BJP-led State and Central governments." Sonowal also called on the people to extend full cooperation for the completion of bridge construction within the stipulated time. He also remarked that only because of Prime Minister Modi's goodwill and sincerity, Assam and NE have been taking rapid strides towards progress and the region has been able to carve a separate identity for itself.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways & MSMEs Nitin Gadkari said that road and infrastructure works worth Rs one lakh crore are being undertaken in Assam. He added that 91 road works of 1,300 km worth Rs 8,000 crore have been completed in the State during the last six years, while works worth Rs 20,000 crore will be completed by 2022. He added that the DPRs (Detailed Project Reports) shall be ready for projects worth Rs 30,000 crore within this year.
Union Minister of State (Independent) for Ports, Shipping & Waterways Mansukh L.Mandaviya said that the waterways have a significant contribution in the development of Assam and the Northeast, adding that the government is running several schemes to carry forward this development journey through the waterways. With the aim of augmenting waterways communication in the country, as much as 4,000 km of waterways have been made operational till now, he informed.
Minister of Health, Finance, education etc., Himanta Biswa Sarma also spoke in the programme attended by Union Minister of State for Food Processing Rameswar Teli, Agriculture Minister Atul Bora, Water Resources Minister Keshab Mahanta besides several other Ministers, MPs, MLAs, xatradhikars and dignitaries, stated a release.