AGARTALA, July 22 (TIWN): CPI-M's 34 years Tripura rule, Congress Party's 60 years Central rule failed to expedite Tripura's development which only set in motion after Narendra Modi took reigns as Prime Minister in 2014. Amid pathetic shape of Tripura's national highway across the state, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Mansukh Mandaviya said here in Agartala, "All together Tripura will have 10 National Highways and both the state and the central govt are in talk regarding this matter". "Earlier, Tripura had only one national highway taking 371 KM altogether but in last 3 years under the NDA Govt 5 National Highway's approval has been given that will cover around 554 KM altogether; so we will have 854 KM. We have 4 new projects in hand covering 229 km, that means total 10 national highways Tripura will get in coming days". "PM Modi says if road is there speed will be there; if speed is there development will come", added the Minister.

Addressing further, the Minister said, "The 4 more projects' Detailed Project Report (DPR) on these stretches is under process and construction shall be started after approval of their DPRs". 

"Government has taken major initiatives in Highways construction sector. The achievement of Government in this sector in Tripura was discussed in detail. During the last 3 years, 8 major National Highway works covering 131 km have been sanctioned in the state with a total cost of Rs. 1,523 crores. It is also targeted to award a length of 67 km with estimated cost of Rs. 500 crore during current financial year", said the Minister.

"At present 3 major works covering a length of 146 km with total project cost of Rs. 1,114 crore are under execution in the state. Works on the State roads are also being sanctioned by the Ministry under Central Road Fund (CRF) and during the last 3 years, 7 works have been sanctioned by the Ministry for a total cost of Rs. 103 crores", Mansukh Mandaviya  said.

The Minister also talked in detail about Indo-Bangla routes, inland routes etc. during the press conference held at State Guest House at Agartala.