Eye at LS, Gadkari launches Rs 4,500 cr NH projects in Himachal
Shimla/Kangra: Union Minister for Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Sunday laid the foundation stone for Rs 4,460 crore National Highway Projects in Himachal Pradesh, and set-out a target that all projects will be completed by 2020.
Knowing well that the projects were obviously aimed to give an edge to the ruling BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Gadkari said. "Don't think I am just showing you dreams. I never make false promise. Whatever I say, I do it practically," he declared at a function after laying the foundation stone of the projects.
In fact, before state assembly polls, when Congress was in power in the state, Gadkari had announced 69 National Highways projects for Himachal Pradesh with investment of Rs 65,000 cr. The BJP got a major advantage in the poll selling it a major initiative of the NDA government for Himachal Pradesh's development as roads happens to be lifeline in the hills. On Sunday again, Gadkari was at his best to launch four laning work of Punjab-Himachal Border to Sihuni section of National Highway (37.05 km) to be completed at a cost of Rs. 15.73 crore.
He also laid foundation stone of 104 km section of Paonta Sahib-Gumma-Feduzpul section of National Highway to be constructed by spending an amount of Rs. 1,356 crore.
Another project was 110 km Hamirpur-Mandi of National Highway to be completed by spending Rs.1334 crore and of 15.km Una-Bhiroo section of NH to be constructed by spending Rs. 51.09 crore. More to add on: Matour-Dharamshala-Mcleodganj National Highway (23 km) at cost of Rs Rs. 46.13 crore an Paonta Sahib NH involving a cost of Rs. 30 crore.
To strike a chord with Himachal Pradesh, the union minister gave entire credit of all new National Highway projects to people, who chose a BJP government in the state, and had earlier voted for formation of the NDA government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Jai Ram Thakur as Chief Minister in Himachal Pradesh.
"Had you not chosen Shanta Kumar and other BJP candidates to the Lok Sabha to facilitate formation of the Narendra Modi led government, had I not become union minister or Jai Ram Thakur not state's Chief Minister, do you think such projects of development and National Highways were possible for the state? Perhaps never. So, keep your blessings with the BJP for more projects as this was just a trailer (about development) the actual full-length film is yet to become before you," he exhorted the people.
Gadkari said his team of officials had already met Chief Minister. The ministry was working on plans for alternate transport means in the state. You will see flying double decker buses, surface to water transport, ropeways and cable cars running in the state where expansion of the railway network involves huge cost and time over-runs.
The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Mukesh Agnihotri laughed at Gadkari's new announcements. " Every time before the polls, the BJP brings in Gadkari to the state, who shows dreams, which never come true. The BJP is spreading falsehood on National Highways as nothing has so far, happened to earlier Rs 65,000 cr announcement of Gadkari about 69 National Highways. No a single penny has come to the state," he alleged here.
