Guwahati

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Barak Valley on March 14 to inaugurate the ₹22,000-crore expressway linking Guwahati and Silchar.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in Silchar, Sarma said the new expressway will significantly cut travel time between Guwahati and Silchar to about four-and-a-half hours, down from more than eight hours at present.

He added that the tendering process for the project has been completed and the required clearance from the wildlife board has also been secured. “Land acquisition has progressed well, and construction work will commence soon,” the chief minister said.

During the visit, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate the Silchar flyover, Sarma added.

Assembly elections in Assam are scheduled to be held in the coming months.

Providing an update on the proposed greenfield airport in Silchar, the chief minister said the state government received environmental clearance for the project on Thursday. “The project will now require approval from the state cabinet. Time is limited, but we will try to initiate the process by March. If that is not feasible, it will be taken up after the Assembly elections,” he said.

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On the announcement of BJP candidates for the upcoming polls, Sarma indicated that it is likely to take place after the Prime Minister’s visit to the state.