Shillong, March 22: The BJP-led NDA government today approved the development of 403km of national highways in Meghalaya and Mizoram.

The approval, made under the first phase of the North East Road Network Connectivity Project, will benefit the two states, which will go to the polls next year.

According to an official communiqué, the cabinet committee on economic affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gave the approval for the development of 403km of national highways in Meghalaya and Mizoram.

Out of the 403km, around 52km will be in Meghalaya while 351km will be in Mizoram.

The project will be executed in engineering procurement construction (EPC) mode. Moreover, the communiqué stated that the estimated cost of the project is around Rs 6,721 crore, which includes the cost of land acquisition, resettlement and other pre-construction activities.

"The projects will be taken up for implementation during the financial year 2017-18. The civil work is expected to be completed by 2021 and maintenance work is expected to be completed by 2025," the communiqué added.

It also noted that the projects will encourage sub-regional socio-economic development by improving infrastructure in the two states. Besides, the project will also enhance connectivity between inter-state roads and international borders.

The work for development two-lane standards is under the first phase of the North East Road Network Connectivity Project with loan assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).