Gadkari launches NH projects for State

December 5, 2020 50 Views No Comment

Says, Nagaland has higher NH density than natl average

DIMAPUR, DEC 4 (NPN) : Union minister for Road, Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari on Friday laid foundation stones for 14 National Highway (NH) projects in Nagaland and also inaugurated one NH project, entailing a total cost of about Rs 4,127 crore, measuring about 266 km.

Addressing the virtual programme, Gadkari said that NH network in the State has been extended to 1,547 km today, up from 880.68 km till 2014, adding that almost all districts have now been connected to a robust network of national highways, except a few.

Gadkari also went on to point out the fact that Nagaland has higher density of NH network– 93.30 km per 1,000 sq km compared to the national average of 39.90 km per 1,000 sq km. Even the population-wise density of NH network in the State is higher with 77.73km per one lakh population as against the national average of 10.80 km per lakh population, he added.

Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio, deputy chief minister Y. Patton, minister of state for MoRTH Gen (retd) VK Singh, MPs, MLAs, senior officers from Centre and the State were present on the occasion.

Gadkari asserted that the Central government was committed to development of the Northeast, including Nagaland, adding that 667 km were added to NH network in Nagaland in the last six years, which showed a growth of nearly 76%.

For development and improvement of NH, he said 55 works (total length 1,063.41 km) worth Rs 11,711 crore have been approved in the last six years, which included about 48 km of three concrete road projects as part of improvement of Dimapur at a total cost of about Rs 1,598 crore.

He said 16 works measuring 690 km and amounting to Rs 7,955 crore were in progress now, while another seven works measuring 105 km and amounting to Rs 966.75 crore were in tendering stage. He also indicated that 11 works of 178 km length costing Rs 2,127 crore would be approved during 2020-21 with enhanced sanction ceiling, adding that five works of 524 km and costing over Rs 6,000 core were in DPR stage.

Gadkari claimed that the total sanction under CRF from 2002 till now was Rs 1,334.3 crore, of which Rs 487.14 crore has been released. He announced that Rs 45 crore was being released for Nagaland soon, while pointing out that the State’s BoS ratio was 11.5% today, which is very high.

Requesting the chief minister to urgently send the estimates for land and damage compensation in respect of Kohima bypass, he said National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has taken up two-laning of Kohima-Mao road in Nagaland, whose civil work has already been awarded on September 30 this year.

The appointed date has been declared as October 20 and the contractor has mobilised on site.

Stating that the estimate for damage compensation was awaited, he urged the State Government to expedite the matter so that civil work could be started at the earliest.

On his part, Rio urged the Central minister to consider development of foothill roads in the State, to which Gadkari said this was under consideration.

Rio also raised the issue of Dimapur-Kohima road, referred to as the lifeline of Nagaland. Gadkari responded that work was in progress, and that 70-80% work had been completed and NHIDCL undertaken rigorous efforts to bring the project on track and expedite the work.

Gadkari claimed that regular meetings at the highest level have been taken to expedite the progress of work on ground and urged the chief minister to further review the NH works to resolve the issue.

Referring to 26.25 km Kohima-Mao road, whose foundation was laid on the occasion, the Union minister remarked this stretch was an important part of Asian Highway (AH-1) connecting Myanmar as this would greatly improve connectivity of Kohima to Manipur border. He said this was also important for socio-economic progress of Nagaland, adding better roads would help improve growth of industry and trade and marketing of local products like bamboo.

On his part, VK Singh hoped that new NH projects would improve tourist traffic to the State. He said of the 14 projects whose foundations were laid, 11 would be executed by NHIDCL and three by State PWD through the road wing of RT&H ministry. This was stated in a PIB release.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/gadkari-launches-nh-projects-for-state/225581.html