Guwahati: Assam’s 2026-27 Budget announced three key connectivity projects to improve mobility and spur growth.Presenting the Budget, finance minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said govt is working with the Centre on projects to strengthen transport infrastructure across the state.These include four-laning of the Baihata Chariali-Mission Chariali road in Tezpur at an estimated cost of Rs 13,812 crore; an elevated corridor from Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport to Jalukbari at Rs 3,423 crore; and a new bridge over the Brahmaputra connecting Morigaon and Darrang districts. The projects are expected to ease congestion and speed up the movement of people and goods.The budget also highlighted progress on major bridges. The Majuli-Jorhat bridge, estimated at Rs 1,400 crore, is targeted for completion by Dec 2027 and will provide all-weather connectivity to Majuli. The Palashbari-Sualkuchi bridge has achieved 49% physical progress.The Dhubri-Phulbari bridge has crossed 77% completion. Once opened, it will cut the Dhubri-Phulbari travel distance from about 260 km to 20 km, sharply improving connectivity between Assam and Meghalaya. A new bridge over the Barak river at Gandhighat, connecting Madhuramukh with Silchar, has also been sanctioned under the Setu Bandhan programme.On rail connectivity, govt will continue pursuing the extension of the railway line to Umrangso. The detailed project report for the 15.87-km broad-gauge line from Langkula to Umrangso, estimated at Rs 1,084 crore, has been submitted to the Railway Board.The budget also proposed phased expansion of Rupsi Airport, with upgrades for all-weather ATR-72 operations in the first phase and Airbus A320 operations in the second.
