Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi road infrastructure is being developed faster, safer and more sustainable than ever before.
In a meeting with officials of the Ministry, NHAI, NHIDCL and PWDs he said that it is their collective mission to give the country, road infrastructure of global standard. The Union Minister emphasised on safety-first approach for Road design and construction, construction of environment-friendly roads, industry-friendly approach, new technology for safe, faster and economic roads and faster construction.
Gadkari said with an investment of Rs 11,000 crores the 313 km-long highway will transform the road infrastructure of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. He said 80% of the corridor has been completed and is scheduled to open to public by March 2022. He said, six lane access controlled Ambala-Kotputli Greenfield Corridor is being constructed at a record pace
Meanwhile, Gadkari chaired the meeting of the 9th Group of Infrastructure Committee last month to address existing inter-ministerial issues with regard to the implementation of infrastructure projects. The Minister reiterated commitment to Infrastructure development giving due importance to protection of Environment and ecology.
Several issues had been placed on the agenda for deliberation for expediting the progress of on-going infrastructure projects by resolving the issues related to NOCs, facilitating working permissions/approvals, ensuring land allocation/transfer and release of funds.
The issues also included, pending forest and environment clearances with MoEF&CC, pending DPR approvals, issues of Logistic parks/Inter-modal station & ROB/RUB construction with M/o Railways, issue of alignment of Right of Way (RoW) policy, issue of common ducts for fiber on highways with DoT, pending working permissions with MoD among others.
A major issue raised in the meeting pertained to the outstanding forest clearances regarding highway and other infra projects. The concerned officers were directed to expedite the process for the same immediately. Land/ROW policies of Railways & MoRTH and making comprehensive guidelines for Environment and Forest clearance were also discussed at length.
