Construct triple pace highways: Gadkari’s “re-start-economy” slogan
Union Road Transport & Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari might be stuck in Nagpur, but that’s not stopping him from taking review meetings via video conferencing to get India’s economy back on track.
Gadkari said plans to increase the construction of the National Highway by 2 to 3 times the current rate in the next few years. He urged states and UTs to speed up land acquisition as delays hamper development pace and asked them to use funds that remain unused with them to the extent of around Rs 25,000 crore.
Calling for more rapid decision-making, the minister said this unusual move is crucial to accelerating economic growth to make India an global powerhouse and a $5 trillion economy. The Minister stressed that every economy serves as the backbone of transport facilities or infrastructure. He requested ministers to track the situation directly, in order to prevent red tape.
It’s General Deputy (Retd) V.K. In order to enable faster project execution, Singh called for greater cooperation between the states and the Centre. For example, he pointed out that there should be no separate registration or charges in case works are transferred from one central agency to another. One should dispense with these activities, he said.
Various chief ministers, vice chief ministers who were part of the conference reiterated the sentiment to accelerate projects. The Center has already approved roadbuilding from 20 April.
In another interesting suggestion, Gadkari suggested that states should consider bringing in app-based two-wheelers, particularly in rural areas, as well as speed-up styled road projects. The two-wheelers based on the app would be compatible with the Uber or Ola services. Gadkari has called on the ministers of state transport to pursue it, as it will also provide new job opportunities.
Moreover, the Minister called on all states and UTs to take immediate action so that truck and lorry blockades at inter-state borders can be removed at the earliest opportunity. He also urged the ministers to interfere in these matters and ensure settlements by local or district administration, so that common citizens would not be inconvenient.
Gadkari pointed out that the transportation of labor to factories can be improved by using sanitizers, among other precautionary measures, by properly observing the safety protocols to maintain a minimum distance of one meter, wearing masks. He observed that supplying laborers with food and shelter is necessary to completely comply with social distance and hygiene standards.
In response to a suggestion, Gadkari said his ministry would begin a helpline to solve transportation problems. As many as 1,315 projects were underway covering 49,238 km worth Rs 5,89,648 crore, of which 819 projects covering 30,301 km costing about Rs 3,06,250 crore were delayed.
It also displayed state-specific issues including pending land acquisition, and environmental clearance that the ministry of Gadkari sent in consultation with states to work out.
