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New Delhi : Union Road Transport, Highways and MSMEs Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated and laid foundation stone for 18 highway projects in Rajasthan on December 24, 2020.
Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister, Rajasthan presided over the virtual function, which was attended by Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Gen (Retd) V K Singh, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Kailash Choudhry, former Union Minister Col Rajyavardhan Rathor, former CM-Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje, and several Ministers from the State.
These projects carry a road length of nearly 1,127 km involving construction value of Rs. 8,341 crore. These projects will ease the transportation of commercial goods within and across the State, will improve connectivity at the borders, enhance employment opportunities, save time and fuel, improve tourism and infra development, and will result in providing connectivity for agricultural produce up to larger markets, according to a PIB release.
Speaking on the occasion, Gadkari assured the State government of his full support in developing NH network in Rajasthan. He called upon the Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to forward two proposals from each MP and one proposal from each MLA from the State in this respect to him, and he will personally get them examined for quick approval of the same. CM Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot complimented Union Minister Gadkari for unprecedented initiatives in road sector. This he said has changed the outlook about roads in Rajasthan.
Gadkari informed that there has been 40 per cent growth in road construction in Rajasthan during the last 6 years, and the length of NH in the State stands at 10,661 km now. He said that all districts of the State are connected with National Highways. He added that 186 road works of 7,906 km worth Rs 73,583 crore were approved for the State during last 6 years. Works on 5,154 kms worth Rs 30,000 crore were completed during this period.
He informed that work is ongoing or is at DPR stage for projects worth Rs one lakh crore. The Ministry intends to complete 2,700 km length of NHs at a cost of Rs 35,000 crore by the year 2021-22, whereas another 2,500 km costing Rs 30,000 crore will be completed by the year 2023-24, Gadkari said. The DPR is being prepared for other projects of 2,811 km worth Rs 50,000 crore, he added.
Gadkari announced that under Bharatmala Pariyojana, works on 1,976 km worth Rs 32,302 crore will be done in Rajasthan. He said that the DPR is already being prepared for 14 projects of 800 km.