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New Delhi : Union Road Transport, Highways and MSMEs Minister Nitin Gadkari on November 26, 2020, called upon the Uttar Pradesh Government to exempt toll plaza agreements from stamp duty in the State. He also asked for expediting land acquisition for developing National Highways as is being done in some of the States.
Gadkari also requested the UP Government to consider halving the Utility Shifting Supervision Charge from 5 per cent to 2.5 per cent on the lines being done by other States. He called for quick disbursal of land acquisition compensation for expediting the NH projects in the State, according to a PIB frelease.
The Union Minister was speaking after virtually inaugurating and laying the foundation of 16 National Highway projects with a total length of over 500 km worth Rs 7,477 crore in Uttar Pradesh. The event was presided by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in the presence of Union MoS Gen (Retd) Dr V K Singh, Deputy Chief Minister of UP Keshav Prasad Maurya, Ministers from the State, Members of Parliament, MLAs, and senior officers from the Centre and the State.
Gadkari said about 3,700 km NH length worth Rs 42,000 crore has been added in Uttar Pradesh in the last six years. Today, there are over 11,389 km of NHs in the State and roads worth Rs 1.3 lakh crore are being constructed in UP. He informed that as much as Rs 26,000 crore have been disbursed towards land acquisition cost in the State during last three years. He said, upgradation and development of NHs will improve connectivity to all the districts and major cities of the State.
Gadkari said the CRF works worth Rs 15,439 have been sanctioned since 2014 in the State. He said Rs 4,628 crore have been released till last year under the scheme while another over Rs 287 crore were sanctioned in the current year and on November 26, 2020, he has y approved releasing Rs 280 crore more. The Minister assured that the amount will be released soon after receiving proposals from the State.
The Minister said NH works of 2,900 km worth Rs 65,000 crore will be completed in the current year in UP. Another 1,100 km length of of road worth Rs 14,000 crore are targeted to be awarded this year. Further, DPRs are under preparation for 3,500 km length at a cost of about Rs 50,000 crore, he said.The Minister said NH works amounting to Rs two lakh crore are being undertaken in UP.
The Minister informed that construction of 133 km 4-lane Greenfield project worth Rs 3,652 crore between Ghazipur-Ballia-Mazhighat is under consideration.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also addressed the event. He said the people of UP are indebted to the Centre for having prioritised it for development. He said the new roads will be a boon for the people as they will provide all-weather connectivity in the State.