Replying to the debate on the demands for grants related to his ministry in Lok Sabha, Gadkari said that roads were connected with the prosperity of the country and good road infrastructure helps bring down the cost of logistics which was vital for economic development. He referred to former US President John F Kennedy who had said that American roads are not good because America is rich, but America is rich because American roads are good.
“To make India prosperous, I will ensure that before December 2024, India’s road infrastructure will be like that of America,” Gadkari said.
He said the government is keen to bring the latest technology in road construction and had replaced Detailed Project Report (DPR) with Project Management Consultancy (PMC) system. “Prioritizing road safety, we have done away with the outdated system of DPR. Incorporating the world’s best practices, we have replaced it with PMC system,” he said.
Gadkari said the cost of operating electric vehicles is less than that of those using petrol and diesel as fuel and the government is also encouraging other green alternatives. The minister said a route was being carved out from Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand for Mansarovar for the convenience of pilgrims which will cut on their travel time taken in going through routes from Nepal and China.
The road ministry will equip highways with wayside amenities. “We will equip highways with 650 wayside amenities. They would include dedicated AC rooms for lactating mothers to feed their child, washrooms, trauma centre, helipad for helicopter ambulance among others,” he said.
Gadkari said 28 highways will have emergency landing facilities for planes and highway corridors would be constructed throughout the country.
The minister said that the government will meet the members’ demand for road over-bridges. He said contractors will be employed to transplant trees that are cut down for the construction of new roads as part of green initiative.
Gadkari said from Chennai to Bengaluru can be reached in two hours in near future as also from Delhi to Jaipur. Noting that connectivity is very important to boost tourism in the country, he said the government has initiated various projects to connect all religious places with quality roads to provide a thrust to religious tourism. “Taking cognizance of the demand for Jain Circuit, after due consultations from all the stakeholders, we will develop Jain Circuit in our country,” he said. (ANI)
first published:March 23, 2022, 12:08 a.m.
