**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 778, regarding road construction in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) region in Assam, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) clarifies the Union Government's commitments under the 2003 BTC accord. The accord, facilitated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), outlined two specific road construction works: (i) construction of a bridge over River Aai to connect Koilamoila, Amguri, and surrounding areas; and (ii) construction of a highway along the Indo-Bhutan border from Jamduar to Bhairabkunda. MoRTH clarifies that these roads are not part of the National Highway network, for which the ministry holds primary responsibility. However, the ministry, through its implementing agencies, has developed 118 km of National Highways (NHs) within the Bodoland Territorial Region at a cost of Rs. 1,857 Crore over the last 15 years. Furthermore, construction of an additional 28 km of NHs has been undertaken at a cost of Rs. 614 crore. The query regarding the Banasur National Highway is addressed within this context, as the mentioned projects fall outside the purview of the specific commitments in the BTC accord. The Minister of Road Transport and Highways is Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari.
Key Entities Referenced
Bodoland Territorial Council: An autonomous administrative region in Assam, India.
Assam: A state in Northeast India where the Bodoland Territorial Council is located.
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development and maintenance of National Highways.
Bodoland Territorial Council BTC accord: An agreement signed in 2003 between the Union Government and the Bodoland Territorial Council regarding development in the Bodoland Territorial Region.
National Highways: A network of highways in India managed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Banasur National Highway: A proposed National Highway in the Bodoland Territorial Region, mentioned in the context of the BTC accord.
Ministry of Home Affairs MHA: A ministry of the Government of India.
IndoBhutan border: The international border between India and Bhutan, near which a highway construction project was proposed.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 778
ANSWERED ON 24TH JULY, 2025
ROAD CONSTRUCTION IN BODOLAND TERRITORIAL COUNCIL
REGION IN ASSAM
778. SHRI JOYANTA BASUMATARY:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Union Government, as per the Bodoland Territorial
Council (BTC) accord in the year 2003, had agreed to the
construction of National Highways in the northern side of the
Bodoland Territorial Region and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the present status of the said road construction including the
sanctioned amount and the fund released for these road
constructions during the last fifteen years;
(c) whether the Banasur National Highway was proposed to be
constructed in the Bodoland Territorial Region as per the said
accord; and
(d) if so, the status of the said National Highway and the fund
sanctioned/released for the said construction for the last five years,
year-wise?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) to (d) The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) accord signed in
the year 2003 by the Union Government through Ministry of Home
Affairs (MHA), mentions 2 works related to road construction
namely (i) construction of a bridge over River Aai to connectKoilamoila, Amguri etc. with the rest of the district; and (ii)
construction of a highway on the Indo-Bhutan border from Jamduar
to Bhairabkunda to connect remote places located adjacent to the
border. Government in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
is primarily responsible for development and maintenance of
National Highways (NHs). The said roads are not the part of
National Highway network. Further, Government through its
implementing agencies has developed 118 km length of National
Highways at a cost of Rs.1,857 Crore during the last 15 years, and
additionally, has taken up construction of 28 km of NHs at a cost of
Rs.614 crore, passing through the Bodoland Territorial Region in the
State of Assam.
*****