The foundation stone laying ceremony for NH208 from Kailasahar to Khowai (a80km long national highway sectionin Tripura), under Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) funded North East Road Network Connectivity Improvement Project Phase 4, was virtually held. Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India and Shri Ramesh BaisSarbananda, Governor of Tripura attended the programme.
The NH208 from Kailasahar to Khowaisection is implemented by National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) with financial support by Government of Japan, amounting to JPY 14,926 million (approximately Rs 982 crore) as part of the regional connectivity improvement in the North Eastern States. Once the road is completed, traveling time between Kaliashar and Khowai will be reduced by half.
“This road construction is expected to strengthen not only regional connectivity within North East states but also cross border connectivity between India and Bangladesh”, said Mr. Katsuo Matsumoto, Chief Representative, JICA India. JICA have supported improving and constructing prioritized national highways (Total 523km)through the North East Connectivity Improvement Projects (Phase1 – Phase 3). Since 2008, through its funding agency JICA, Japanhas extended 231 billion Japanese Yen (approximately Rs 15,795 crore) as concessional ODA loans for development of NE region in India.
