Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways and MSMES Nitin Gadkari has called upon all the States and Union Territories to take urgent action to facilitate inter-state border movement of trucks/lorries carrying essential goods to ease public life during COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking at the meeting of state/UT Road Transport ministers held via video conference on Tuesday, the Union minister said that blockades of trucks and lorries at inter-state/UT borders must be cleared at the earliest possible as smooth movement of essential goods to various parts of the country was essential.
Gadkari also informed that he was according top priority to the development of road/highway infrastructure. He informed that he was planning to enhance National Highway construction by two to three times of the present pace in coming years. He urged the statesto expedite land acquisition as delays hamper the pace of development. Gadkari also asked them to utilise funds that were remaining unused with them to the extent of about Rs 25000 crore.
Various chief ministers, deputy CMs, ministers in charge from sates echoed the sentiments expressed by Gadkari and requested that NH projects in their Sates/UTs may be expedited.
Patton says, shortage of materials hampering development works: Nagaland deputy chief minister Y Patton, who also holds PWD (R&B) portfolio, had apprised union minister of road transport and highways, Nitin Gadkari, that developmental works in the state have resumed since April 11, 2020, but the work progress was being hampered due to shortage of construction materials like cement, rod and bitumen, which had to be imported from other states.
Patton also urged the union minister during video conference to take up DPRs of those projects that had already been submitted earlier. He expressed gratitude to the union minister for declaring five National highways in the state during the last tenure.
Patton also pointed out various technical and physical problems faced by the road development sector in the state.
Like many of the states with hilly terrain, road projects were either stalled or having slow progress, he said.
Pointing out that Nagaland has only six-seven favourable months for construction and repair of roads, Patton said frequent landslides on the highways made it difficult for projects to be completed on time.