Assam Government Unveils Major Disaster Resilient Road Project
Launch of the Assam Disaster Resilient Hill Roads Development Project
Launch event of World Bank-funded Assam Disaster Resilient Hill Roads Development Project (ADRHRDP) held in Guwahati (Photo: AT)
Guwahati, June 3: The Assam Government has officially launched the Assam Disaster Resilient Hill Roads Development Project (ADRHRDP), which is backed by a substantial investment of Rs 3,875 crore from the World Bank. This initiative aims to enhance climate-resilient connectivity and improve disaster preparedness in the Dima Hasao district.
The project was inaugurated during a workshop at the Assam Administrative Staff College in Khanapara, attended by World Bank representatives, senior officials, technical experts, and various stakeholders involved in the project.
As per the official announcement, the total project cost is Rs 3,875 crore, which includes Rs 3,100 crore from the World Bank and Rs 775 crore from the Assam Government.
The implementation of the ADRHRDP is planned over a period of 72 months and is projected to benefit approximately 1.9 lakh individuals, especially those in tribal and rural areas.
Target beneficiaries include farmers, women's self-help groups, local businesses, small and medium enterprises, and participants in the transport and tourism sectors.
The project will focus on enhancing climate-resilient transport infrastructure by upgrading around 360 km of roads, rehabilitating 148 km of existing roadways, and implementing Performance-Based Maintenance Contracts (PBMC) for about 155 km.
Moreover, the initiative plans to establish rural freight corridors, demonstration ropeways, and Flood and Landslide Early Warning Systems (FLEWS) to bolster disaster preparedness and response capabilities.
The workshop included technical discussions on road design, environmental and social safeguards, procurement compliance, and essential implementation requirements.
Participants also addressed the challenges posed by landslides, floods, and other climate-related threats in the region.
"Insights from past disaster events, such as the Dharali incident in Uttarakhand, were shared to emphasize the necessity of resilient infrastructure planning and risk management," the statement noted.
The government characterized the ADRHRDP as a significant externally funded project for the Northeast, anticipating that it will greatly improve connectivity, disaster resilience, and socio-economic growth in Dima Hasao.
"This project employs an integrated, multi-sectoral strategy aimed at enhancing connectivity, resilience, and socio-economic progress in the hill district of southern Assam," the statement concluded.