GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday, July 15, announced that the Digaru-Narengi road will be widened into a four-lane corridor to ease traffic congestion and provide an alternative route for vehicles travelling towards Guwahati from the Jagiroad side.
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Speaking in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Sarma said the project is part of the state's broader plan to strengthen road connectivity and reduce traffic pressure on the Jorabat corridor.
The chief minister also announced that the government will undertake large-scale plantation of Ejar trees along the Jalukbari-Khanapara stretch of National Highway 27. He said the plantation drive will enhance the aesthetics of the proposed ring road corridor.
Referring to the recent flash floods and severe waterlogging in the Jorabat area, the chief minister said the proposed ring road project would help mitigate the recurring problem.
"₹150 crore has been earmarked under the ring road master plan. Consultants are preparing the drawings and have been asked to get them approved by IIT Guwahati," he said.
The announcement comes days after heavy rainfall on Sunday triggered flash floods and severe waterlogging at Jorabat, 9th Mile and 10th Mile, prompting the Guwahati Traffic Police to impose emergency traffic diversions that disrupted vehicular movement across the city.
Thousands of trucks and other vehicles stranded overnight on National Highway 27 between Khanapara and Jorabat resumed their journeys only after a traffic standstill that lasted nearly 20 hours.
During the disruption, light motor vehicles (LMVs) travelling towards Guwahati were diverted at Digaru, while vehicles heading out of the city were diverted at Koinadhara Point. Motorists leaving Guwahati were also advised to use the Narengi route to avoid the flood-affected stretch.