Gadkari sets ambitious target for building National Highways

Ministry has set a target to spend Rs 5 lakh crore in road infrastructure

Optimistic of taking up infrastructure works in road sector in a big way in the coming days, Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari said, the Centre has set a target of constructing 30 km of National Highways per day within two years and planned to spend Rs 5 lakh crore on road infrastructure development, on Friday.

"We have already been able to raise the daily NH construction from 2 km to 14 km, registering a 7-fold rise in the last one year. We are optimistic of crossing the target of 30 km NH construction in two years," Gadkari told reporters in Bhubaneswar.

He said his ministry has already set a target to spend Rs 5 lakh crore in road infrastructure and Rs one lakh crore in inland water projects within five years.

However, land acquisition, forest and environment clearance need to be made at an appropriate time, the minister said urging state governments to cooperate in the completion of NH projects.

"I have asked officials to issue work order only after 80 per cent of the required land is acquired," Gadkari said.

Concerned over the death of about 150,000 people per year due to road accidents, Gadkari said that his ministry will soon bring Road Transport and Safety Bill in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.