In a major boost to road and inland water communication of Assam, the Centre will invest nearly Rs 1 lakh crore to improve connectivity. <br/><br/>Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari announced this while discussing several issues related to improvement of transport communication with Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in New Delhi yesterday. <br/><br/>An official release said that the Union Minister announced to increase the Central Roads Fund to Rs 800 crore from earlier sanctioned limit of Rs 450 crore. He has also asked the state government to identify 1200 KM of new stretch of road for converting the same into National Highways. <br/><br/>Mr. Gadkari approved Sivsagar-Desangmukh-Tekeliphuta-Dhakuakhana-North Lakhimpur-Majuli-Jorhat road project and another project for relieving traffic congestion on Guwahati by-pass by constructing new 4-lane road from Changsari to Kuruwa along the Northern Bank of Brahmaputra with a 6-lane bridge over Brahmaputra between Kuruwa and Narengi. <br/><br/>He has directed officials to explore the scope for an alternative alignment and prepare DPR for 4-laning of East West corridor covering 62 KM long vulnerable stretch in Dima Hasao District. <br/><br/>The Union Minister has also approved projects for development of NH-36, strengthening stretches from Agomoni to Golokganj, Gauripur to Panbari and Bangalipara on Bilasipara among others.<br/><br/>The Union Minister has also sanctioned Rs 30 crore for installation of solar LED Light in the Dhola-Sadia bridge which is to be inaugurated soon. The minister approved the proposal for construction of flyovers at several areas.