Govt clears Rs 20,000-cr road projects

Stalled projects will be up and running in the next three months, says Gadkari

http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/govt-clears-rs-20-000-cr-road-projects-114062401004_1.html

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkarihas cleared road projects worth Rs 20,000 crore, which were stuck for long due to issues related to environmental clearances, land acquisition and others. In back to back meetings on Monday with senior ministry officials and state officials, Gadkari took a state-wise review of national highway projects across the country. A majority of these projects are in Jammu & Kashmir.

Gadkari said on Tuesday the government would target to build 30 km per day after next two years."Currently, the average construction is around three km per day. After two years, we are targeting to build 30 km per day," the minister said.

Road projects worth about Rs 60,000 crore are stuck, mainly due to reasons such as land acquisition and environment and forest clearances. The stalled projects would be up and running in the next three months, as we are working on getting faster clearances, Gadkari said.

The ministry has also devised a plan to build national highways in Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir and North-East, according to a senior ministry official.

The minister, on Monday, sought a performance audit of the Border Roads Organisation, which builds and maintains strategic roads across the country.

He said the government would build these roads by awarding engineering, procurement and construction contracts. Gadkari, who also holds shipping, rural development, panchayati raj and drinking water and sanitation portfolios, said he will head a group that will review the progress of the civil aviation and railway ministries, along with roads and ports, on a monthly basis. "Principal Secretary to the prime minister and the cabinet secretary will also be part of that group, the first meeting of which will be held in the next 10 days," he said.