FCC

NPG recommends roadways project in Tripura under PM GatiShakti

2023-06-14

The 49th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) under PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP) has put forth a recommendation for a roadways project in Tripura. Chaired by Sumita Dawra, Special Secretary of the Logistics Division at the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the NPG meeting took place in New Delhi. The project focuses on the improvement and widening of the 134.9 km road section of Khowai-Teliamura-Harina, which forms part of NH-208 in Tripura. With a brownfield project status and a total cost of Rs 24.86 billion, the proposed road aims to enhance multimodal connectivity, promote industrial clusters, ensure efficient freight movement, reduce carbon footprint, optimise alignment, and improve logistical efficiency.

Passing through the districts of Khowai, Gomati, and South Tripura, the project road connects various important locations in Tripura such as Khowai, Teliamura, Twidu, Amarpur, Karbook, and Harina. Apart from improving interstate connectivity between Assam and Tripura, the road project is expected to significantly boost economic and industrial activities in Tripura. The planning of this project under the National Master Plan has resulted in several key benefits, including enhanced logistics efficiency. By utilising the NMP, the road length has been reduced by 28 km, resulting in a travel time reduction of 2.5 hours.

Additionally, the project corridor enables enhanced multi-modal connectivity by facilitating intermodal transport from Teliamura Railway Station and Manu Bazar Railway Station near Harina. The proposed road also improves connectivity to the Agartala Airport and the proposed Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) in Udaipur. Furthermore, the corridor's proximity to the Bangladesh border allows for regional connectivity, with connections to Kailashahar, Kamalpur, and Khowai Border Check Post in Bangladesh.

The road project also contributes to the connectivity of economic and social nodes, including 4 economic nodes such as industrial clusters around Agartala and 13 social nodes such as Matabari Temple, Neer Mahal, Pilak Civilization Museum, Jampui Hills, and Ambassa Eco Park.