Government
has made 20 per cent growth over the last year in the field of construction of
National Highways. Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping,
Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Nitin Gadkari said that over 9829 kilometres National Highways
were constructed during the year 2017-18.
This
represents 20 per cent growth over the last year, when 8231 kilometres were
constructed. 17055 kilometres road length was awarded in the year, against
15948 kilometres last year. Expenditure of Rs 1,16,324 crore was incurred on
construction of National Highways during the year 2017-18.
Government is fully committed to the welfare of SC/ST: Home Minister
He
further announced for the adoption of
international system of counting of Lane Kilometres from the coming Financial
Year onwards. He said, the ministry has so far been calculating construction of
National Highways in linear length, which did not truly reflected the amount of
work completed.
Gadkari informed that the work on construction
of Eastern Peripheral Expressway is almost completed, and will soon be opened
for public. This fully access-controlled expressway has entry and exit points
through designated interchanges only. Toll will be collected only for the
distance travelled, for which, toll plazas will be equipped with electronic
toll collection system.
The Minister said, this project worth Rs 4420
crore is going to be completed in a record time of about 500 days, against the
targeted 910 days. This will be the first expressway to be fully solar powered.
Eight solar power plants of four megawatt capacity have been installed on the
expressway. The expressway will reduce pollution and decongest the national
capital, as non-delhi bound commercial vehicles will not entre the city.
The Minister also announced that the work on construction
of 14-lane highway from Delhi to Dasna, under the ambitious Delhi-Meerut
Highway project, will be completed in record time of 15 months, against the
targeted 30 months. A cycle track of 2.5 metres on both sides of the highway is
a unique feature. Two new 4-lane bridges on both sides of the existing major
bridge on river Yamuna will convert it to a 16-lane bridge. This is the first
bridge in the country to have vertical gardens with solar system and drip
irrigation.
Post a Comment