Kolkata, Dec 2 (PTI): India will sign a road agreement with Myanmar and Thailand in March next in an attempt to link the North-East to the two East-Asian countries, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said today.

"We'll have an agreement on road linkage from the North-East to Myanmar and Thailand in March next year. This will not only bring people of both countries closer, but enhance trade, business, health, education and tourism," Mr Gadkari said at the closing ceremony of the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal Friendship Motor Rally for regional integration.

"This will not only be a bridge of roads, but it will connect hearts. Frequent transport will automatically help our relations grow deep and strong," Mr Gadkari said.

"We are united. We have also had a water agreement with Bangladesh on the Brahmaputra 15-20 days ago. We hope that in days to come, there will be water transport of goods and passengers like the way we have initiated bus service... It will boost economies of both the countries," said Mr Gadkari, who also holds the shipping portfolio.

"We've pledged to develop road projects worth about Rs. 1 lakh crore in the North-East. I am happy to announce that we've already started road construction projects worth Rs. 16,000 crore. We believe it'll benefit the North East in a big way."