India's biggest infra project BharatMala to create 1 cr jobs

New Delhi: Stating that BharatMala project would prove to be a game changer, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said that BharatMala project would create one crore jobs as it's the biggest infrastructure project of the country. The target to award works to as many as possible projects will be done before December 2018.

"The work on project preparation was in an advanced stage for 19,500 km and about 9,000 km bids were invited for engagement of consultant for preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR),' said Gadkari while addressing a Press conference.

Outlining the positive aspects of the project, the minister said, "Our infrastructure plan will contribute 2-3 per cent to the GDP, which will create over 1 crore jobs. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) would be the major beneficiary of the project as it would make NHAI more autonomous."

With the BharatMala project, the government would be able to link 550 districts. Priorities have been given to tribal areas, border areas and places of religious importance. The first phase of BharatMala, which was approved by the Cabinet on Tuesday, would be implemented over a period of five years from 2017-18 to 2021-22 at a cost of Rs 5,35,000 crore.

Gadkari further said that development of infrastructure along the border will boost the country's export-import trade with Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar and fulfill strategic requirements.

Clearing the doubts on similarities between SagarMala and BahartMala, the minister said that both are different projects as SagarMala has an outlay of Rs 16 lakh crore, while under the BharatMala project, 34,800 km of roads to be constructed with an investment of Rs 5,35,000 crore.

"SagarMala is to do with shipping, ports and waterways, while BharatMala is about the development of roads. Do not get confused. Yeh donon mala alag hai aur varmala ban kar desh ko jodega (both the projects are different and would connect the country as garland)," said Gadkari

Giving details about port connectivity works, Gadkari said, "We are giving connectivity in 22 places and spending Rs 25,000 crore on it, which will boost economic growth. The 22 points will include bus services between Bangladesh and Nepal."

"Bangladesh, Myanmar and Bhutan are linked with the North East, while Nepal has connectivity with Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Along with this, there are 12 major ports. All our ports are profitable and we will have Rs 25,000 crore profit through ports," the minister said.

The minister further said, "We would be spending Rs 1.20 lakh crore on economic corridors. Not only distance but also fuel consumption will be saved by the creation of these corridors. It will also reduce pollution. We have also identified 34 places where roads will be lengthened."

Under the programme, the creation of jobs would be huge as in each site 500-800 people would get direct employment.

Stressing on use of technology, the minister said, "We will use technology to map the road condition besides look at riding quality of roads and signages, too. Pre and post-monsoon condition of roads which are used a lot would be captured through technology."