Highways sector to see ₹15 tn investments in 5 yrs: Gadkari
NEW DELHI: The government’s endeavour for world-class infrastructure will continue unabated with commitment to pump in another ₹15 lakh crore in the highways sector in this five-year term, says Nitin Gadkari, the man in charge of India’s infrastructure.
Armed with the new Motor Vehicles Act, e-tolling and instruments like Infrastructure Investment Trust (INVIT), for Road Transport and Highways Minister Gadkari “funds have never been a problem or will be a problem” when it comes to highways or infrastructure building.
“We have spent ₹17 lakh crore in the highways and shipping sectors combined in the last five years...coming five years will see infusion of ₹15 lakh crore in highways sector alone to provide world-class roads including 22 green expressways,” Gadkari told PTI in an interview here.
The minister said with e-tolling coming into force, the toll income alone will cross ₹8,000 crore per annum as ever since the FASTAG system has been made mandatory at national highways, toll income has seen a jump of ₹25 crore per day.
A total of 10 million FASTAGS have been issued till mid-december ever since the government made FASTAGS mandatory to facilitate digital payments to ensures hassle-free movement across 523 toll plazas. Some relaxation has been given on booths for the time being.
“Ever since the FASTAG system has been introduced, it has resulted in increase of ₹25 crore in toll income per day, which is expected to go up. We expect over ₹8,000 crore per annum on account of e-tolling,” Gadkari said.
On the agenda for year 2020 is completing the about ₹12,000crore Char Dham project for all weather connectivity to Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri.
Besides, he said efforts are on to complete a highway through Uttarakhand for making the Kailash-mansarovar yatra easy and about 75% of the work has been completed. Currently, the famous pilgrimage place can be reached only through the arduous Lipulekh pass and Nathu La route, opened by China in 2015.
Terming the passage of the
Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 as one of the landmark achievements, Gadkari said its impact will soon be visible with reduction in accidents, which are a cause of major concern.
“There have been encouraging reports that people are following traffic rules.. I am confident in the coming years, there will be huge reduction in accidents,” Gadkari said, adding that there was shortage of 22 lakh drivers pan India and this will be fulfilled by quality training to drivers in driving centres.
Challans worth about ₹700 crore were issued across the country till November, as per the government.
Nod to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to set up INVIT and monetise national highway projects will prove another milestone in highways development, the minister added.