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Title: Need to convert NH 52 into four lane road, being a strategic route.
SHRI RAMEN DEKA (MANGALDOI): Mr. Chairman, Sir, I would like to draw the attention of the Government regarding the communication system in Assam. Assam is an under-developed State. The main cause of its underdevelopment is lack of communication infrastructure. The Communication system both in terms of rail and road is not up to the mark in comparison to the other States in rest of the country.
The Golden Quadrilateral passes up to Silchar in my State. But the progress of this project is very slow whereas in other States in the rest of the country, it is going to be completed by 2011.
I would, therefore, urge upon the Government to complete this project by a specific time so that the people would get the pace of development. NH-52 crosses Baihata Chariali up to North Lakhimpur, which is in my constituency. But the condition of the road is very dilapidated. It is a strategic route. The Government should understand that this NH-52 is a strategic route. It is the only connectivity to Arunachal Pradesh, which is neighbouring China. So, it needs wider roads. But this road is a two-lane road. Therefore, I would urge upon the Government to convert it in to four-lane road so that the strategic route can serve the Army and other people in the need of the hour.
Sir, we have seen in 1962 that due to lack of communication infrastructure, we lost the war to China. It should not happen. China is a threat to us. This is a strategic route and it should be widened immediately so that people could get the fruit of the development, pace of the development. This is the only connectivity of the North bank of Brahmaputra.
Therefore, I would appeal to the Government to convert this route into four-lane. Our hon. Minister of Parliamentary Affairs is present here. I would request him to take note of this serious problem.