Under the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme, the Union government has set a target to complete Rs 33,688 crore projects by June 2016 to improve infrastructure in the country's North Eastern region. The phase A of SARDP-NE including Arunachal Package covers 6,418 km at an estimated cost of Rs 33,688 crore. The project is targeted for completion by June, 2016, the Road Transport and Highways (RTH) Ministry said. The projects are being executed by the States Public Work Departments, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.    

SARDP is Special Accelerated Road Development Programme. So far, about 1,180 km have been completed, as per the Ministry, which said it targets to award projects in a total length of about 2,000 km and achieve completion in 550 km length during 2013-14.  The Phase B of the SARDP is at a conceptual stage, as per the Ministry.    

The programme envisages providing road connectivity to all the district headquarters in the north eastern region by minimum 2-lane highway standards apart from providing road connectivity to backward and remote areas, areas of strategic importance and neighbouring countries.    

The Union Road Transport and Highways (RTH) Minister Oscar Fernandes and Secretary Vijay Chhiber last week reviewed the progress of projects in the presence of Chief Ministers of the states. They asked officials to expedite progress and find ways to speed up implementation of the projects.