Gadkari launches projects worth ₹5,080 cr in UP
VARANASI : Union minister Nitin Gadkari launched road projects worth over ₹5,080 crore at a function at Lanka ground in Ghazipur on Thursday. He also laid the foundation of intermodal terminal (mini port) to be built on the Ganga in Dungapur village in that district. Speaking on the occasion, he said, “All requirements to ensure development across Ghazipur will be fulfilled. In days to come, Ghazipur will leave behind Noida and Ghaziabad in terms of development. The intermodal terminal will create employment opportunities for the youth in the region and will help in ensuring development of the district.”
LUCKNOW: Union minister for road transport Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said the Union government would enact a new law in next three months to allow operation of seaplanes as a mode of transport. He also said all the roadblocks in way of Ken-Betwa river linking project had been cleared and Prime Minister Narendra Modi would lay the foundation stone of project in two months’ time.
Gadkari stated this while speaking to media persons along with chief minister Yogi Adityanath and deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya here. “We will enact a law to allow operation of seaplanes that can take off from water and may land at any airport,” said Gadkari.
He said state would get projects of Rs 2 lakh crore by March 2019. Out of them projects of Rs 60000 crore were being implemented, he said.
Yogi said Gadkari had been liberal in approving projects for UP and has asked officers of National Highways Authority of India and Namami Gange projects etc. to accelerate pace of work.
Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh had agreed to implement Ken-Betwa river project and all the hindrances had been removed, Gadkari said adding the project would be the first river linking project and the centre would fund 90 percent of its total cost. He said the project to be implemented in next five years would be beneficial for Bundelkhand region of UP and MP as it would provide irrigation facilities to about 12 lakh hectare land, including about 6 lakh hectare land in UP. Instead of acquiring land for its implementation, the project would be implemented by laying pipeline.
Gadkari said a sum of Rs 200 crore had been provided to state Public Works department (PWD) to make roads of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in the state pothole free. He said a decision had been taken to provide additional 2000 km national highways to Uttar Pradesh. “Chief minister Yogi Adityanath and deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya would send proposals about the construction of additional national highways,” he added.
Gadkari said work on expansion of Rae Bareli-Allahabad road would be started soon. In view of Kumbh Mela, a new bridge with a cost of Rs 2000 crore had been approved near Phaphamau in Allahabad. He said waterway between Varanasi and Allahabad would be started before Kumbh Mela.
“There would be four river ports on way,” he said.
Gadkari said a sum of Rs 10000 crore had been given to Uttar Pradesh for the first time under Central Road Fund.