Govt urges private cos to invest in expressway, waterway projects

New Delhi: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Saturday asked private players to invest liberally in expressways, waterways and irrigation projects as well as towards the 'Clean Ganga Mission'.

"Private players should consider investing in fast-growing expressways, highways, waterways, irrigation projects and projects under 'Clean Ganga Mission'," road transport and shipping minister Gadkari said while addressing the 91st Annual General Meeting of the industry body FICCI through video conferencing.

The government had brought down the cost of land acquisition drastically to Rs 80 lakh per km from Rs 7.5 crore per km earlier for the development of expressways, Gadkari said adding that private players should take advantage of the reduced land acquisition and labour cost. He further said that land can even be made available to Indian Railways for bullet train routes.