Centre aims to build 30 km NH every day: Gadkari
11 July 2015 12:26 AM GMT
The Centre has set a target of constructing 30 km of National Highways per day within two years and planned to spend Rs five lakh crore on road infrastructure development, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Friday.
“We have already been able to raise the daily NH construction from two km to 14 km, registering a 7-fold rise in the last one year. We are optimistic of crossing the target of 30 km NH construction in two years,” Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Gadkari told reporters here.
He said his ministry had already set a target to spend Rs 5 lakh crore in road infrastructure and Rs one lakh crore in inland water projects within five years.
Optimistic of taking up infrastructure works in road sector in a big way in the coming days, Gadkari claimed to have the credit of completing Mumbai-Pune Highways in record time and also built 55 flyovers in his career.
“I have done it in the past and will continue to achieve the goal,” the Union Minister claimed.
However, land acquisition, forest and environment clearance need to be made at an appropriate time, the Union minister said urging state governments to cooperate in the completion of NH projects.
“I have asked officials to issue work order only after 80 per cent of the required land is acquired,” Gadkari said.
To a question on ruling BJD president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s stand on the Land Bill, Gadkari said: “As per my expectation, he (Patnaik) will cooperate for development of the state as well as the country.”
Centre accords NH status to 2,000 km roads in Odisha
Describing roads as paths to development of any region, the Centre on Friday declared National Highway status for 2,000 km of State Highways in Odisha where Rs 35,000 crore will be invested for road development. "We have decided to link NH to Jagatsinghpur and Jajpur on priority. Besides, a decision has been taken to construct 12 NH bypasses in Odisha", visiting Union Roads Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari told reporters.
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