Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on January 17, 2022, called for cooperation between Central and State Governments for infrastructure development of the country. He said that the infrastructure development will play an important role in fulfilling the vision of India becoming $5 trillion economy.
Inaugurating a Conference on “PM-Gati Shakti” for the South Zone, organised by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), he said cooperation and communication needs to be enhanced between State and Centre. He welcomed suggestions from the States for making the programme a success.
Karnataka Chief Minister B S Bommai, in his address, pointed out that the time has come to cooperate and coordinate in major mega projects of Government of India and the States. He urged the Centre to fasten clearances and relax rules in the finance sector to maximise investments.
Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan, LG Puducherry, said that the multi modal connectivity will facilitate connectivity for movement of people and goods. Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy spoke about the importance of the elevated corridor project to minimise traffic congestion, helipad services and airport facilities for people visiting Puducherry.
In his remarks, Minister of State (RTH and Civil Aviation) General (Retd) Dr. V.K. Singh said the aim of “PM-Gati Shakti” is to give a boost to multi-modal connectivity in India.
Andhra Pradesh Industries, Commerce and IT Minister M Goutham Reddy said his State, with second largest coastal corridor in the country, can contribute in realising India’s vision of becoming big economy. Talking about PM-Gati Shakti, he said the logistics cost in India is still 14 % of GDP against the global average 8% and the Prime Minister is committed to bring this cost down. He said the programme will help achieve this goal.
P A. Mohammed Riyas, Public Works Department and Tourism Minister, Kerala, said a robust and resilient infrastructure is fundamental to the economic growth of a country and the PM-Gati Shakti will change its logistics landscape. He said Kerala offers conducive landscape for development of multi-modal connectivity.
Telangana Minister for Municipal Administration & Urban Development, Industries & Commerce and IT K T Rama Rao said his State has got sufficient support from the Centre in terms of National Highways but sought more help from the Centre in improving the Railway infrastructure.
Secretary MORTH Giridhar Aramane, in his welcome address, stressed on creating institutional framework at the State level. He said objective of the conference is sensitisation and capacity building from officers of all Central Ministries and State Governments, besides development of a roadmap for a Master Plan for States and UTs.
State/UTs, which participated in the event, were Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana. The day-long event witnessed panel discussions on various aspects of the programme, involving Central & State officials and stakeholders.
R .K Pandey, Member, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), spoke during the panel discussion on “Implementation Roadmap for PM-Gati Shakti”, chaired by Alka Upadhyaya, Chairperson NHAI, in the presence of senior officials from States/UTs. Alka Upadhaya, listed out some significant points given by the senior officials of participating States.