Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has signed a loan agreement amounting to 15,561 million yen (approximately Rs 877 crore) with the Government of India for the North East Road Network Connectivity Improvement Project Phase 7. This project aims to improve the National Highway 127B from Phulbari to Goeragre in Meghalaya.
The project will involve widening and improvement of the national highway in the western part of Meghalaya, which connects the Dhubri-Phulbari bridge to Goeragre near Tura.
On a larger scale, the Phulbari-Goeragre stretch forms part of the stretch of total 180km financed by JICA, connecting Srirampur, Assam on the East-West Corridor to the border town of Dalu in Meghalaya, expected to become a new trade corridor with neighbouring Bhutan and Bangladesh.
The loan agreement for the project was signed between Vikas Sheel, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance and Saito Mitsunori, Chief Representative, JICA India.
Speaking on this occasion, Mitsunori said, “JICA’s support for the project underscores its commitment to promoting sustainable and inclusive growth in North East India.
This stretch between Phulbari and Goeragre will bridge the missing link from the East-West Corridor to the border town of Dalu, Meghalaya, and once completed the region will have the potential to become a new economic corridor through increased connectivity with neighbouring countries.
