Guwahati, Dec 20 (IANS): Union Minister for Road Transport Nitin Gadkari on Thursday laid the foundation for national highways and bridge projects worth Rs 9,533 crore at separate locations in Arunachal Pradesh, saying the Modi government was committed to the socio economic development of the North-East.

Accompanied by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, Gadkari laid the foundation of projects at Roing and Ziro, saying these infrastructure projects will transform the North-East through development, tourism and job creation.

"These projects will provide around-the-year connectivity between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh and save travel time. We have taken up many road projects in the state to further improve connectivity. I am confident that these projects will be beneficial for the development of Arunachal Pradesh and North-East," he said.

Gadkari said the road network in Arunachal Pradesh has increased from 1,804 km to 2,885 km in the last four years.

"A sum of Rs 28,000 crore is being spent on construction of highways in the state," he said, adding that the work will be taken up at the earliest.

The Minister inaugurated bridges across Dibang and Lohit River System in Roing, including approach road between Chowkham-Digaru. The total length of this project is 30.95 km and cost Rs 1508.30 crore.

The Minister also inaugurated the recently two-laned, 25.14 km Mahadevpur to Buri Dihing section of NH-52 B, constructed at a cost of Rs 136.60 crore and 22.23 km Bordumsa-Namchik section of NH-52 B constructed at a cost of Rs 189.91 crore.