AGARTALA, July 8 (TIWN): Even as major hurdle- land acquisition for double-lane of the Agartala-Sabroom National Highway (NH-44) has been crossed, a few patches are yet to get clearance from Ministry of Forest and Environment (MoFE), according highly placed sources.

As per the plan, the 136 km Agartala-Sabroom National Highway (NH-44A) would be converted into two-lane road by next two to three years and the Centre would pump the entire fund.

Due to persuasion by the state administration, land acquisition for road project has been done well before the stipulated time but no clearance in regard to the forest land has been received from the MoFE yet, said an official of PWD here today.

“Proposals to acquire 38/40 hectares have been sent to the MoFE early this year but we have not received its approval. Once we get the nod, the state administration will hand over the land to the MoRTH to undertake the project”, he said.

After receiving the paper of land acquisition, the MoRTH would prepare  planning for the 136 KM road project which will enhance the road connectivity upto Sabroom, state’s southern-most border subdivision.

“Once the works start, it will take two or three years to executive the road works. And MoRTH will oversee the project”, he said.

Widening of NH-44A appears significance because of the state government initiative to construct a bridge connecting Sarboom with Ramgarh in Bangladesh.

The PWD has already floated Expression of Interest (EOI) for drawing and design of the Rs. 76 crore bridge work.

If the bridge is constfructed, the direct connectivity between two sides will be established which may appear a major boost for the bilateral trade through Sabroom. The landlocked state may have access to Chittagong sea port which is only 87 km from Sabroom town after opening of the bridge.