Rainkor ( Meghalaya), Feb 18 : Amidst a huge turnout, Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari addressed an election rally in Baghmara and Ranikor today .
In a power packed speech, he said that though India is celebrating 75 years of Independence, yet in some places development hasn’t reached at all. There are places where there are schools but no teachers, places where there are teachers but no school buildings and places where there may be both but no students due to lack of road connectivity and other related issues. For a place to prosper and develop we need to encourage industry and business, which can only be achieved if we have good sources for water and power, good transport and communication facilities.
For eradication of poverty, it is absolutely essential that industry and business both grow side by side. In the absence of good infrastructure we don’t have industry and without industry we don’t have the potential for growth and employment. Hence, the road to progress cannot be paved and eradication of poverty impossible.
He said that under PM Modi, the entire road connectivity is progressing rapidly and undergoing huge change. To eradicate poverty and reduce the suffering of people we have to make good roads and in NE the Modi Govt is making roads worth 3 lakh crore which will all be completed by 2024. The network of road connectivity in NE has increased by 25pc since 2014. National Highway projects worth Rs 4000 crore is going on in 351 projects in NE.
He listed a number of projects which are nearing completion and also those which are in the pipeline like construction of Ranikor to Baghmara 130 km 2-Lane Paved Shoulder Road at a cost of Rs. 1300 Cr. to be completed by October 2024. The road is very important from a tourism point of view. The road is being made in 5 packages, construction of the Nongstoin to Wahkaji 43 km 2-Lane Paved Shoulder Road at a cost of Rs. 302 Cr. to be completed by August 2023. Construction of the Nongstoin to Kirshai 33 km 2-Lane Paved Shoulder Road at a cost of Rs. 360 Cr. to be completed by May 2024. Construction of a bridge over Rongdik River will be completed by June 2023, West Jaintia Hills is an important Cultural and Tourism sector, hence connectivity will be provided to the beautiful Krang Suri Falls. DPR for construction of Mawryngkneng to Jaintia Hills 127km, 4-Lane Road at a cost of Rs. 4850 Cr. to be completed by October 2023. construction of Dawki to Jowai 15 km road at a cost pf Rs. 43 Cr. to be completed by November 2023, DPR for construction of 78 Km Shillong 4-Lane Bypass at a cost of Rs 3561 Cr. is being prepared. DPR for construction of 40 Km 4-Lane East Bypass at a cost of Rs 1500 Cr will be completed by Oct 2023. DPR for construction of 38 Km 4 Lane West Bypass at a cost of Rs 2061 Cr. will be completed by April 2023.The construction of this bypass will ease the congestion within Shillong City as traffic coming from Guwahati will be diverted outside of the city, construction of Shillong to Dawki 44 km road at a cost of Rs. 970 Cr. to be completed by April 2024. This will ease the travel for tourists who wish to visit the crystal clear Umngot river, DPR for construction of Dainadubi to Williamnagar 80 Km 4-Lane Road at a cost of Rs 4350 Cr. to be completed by July 2023. This will improve connectivity as it is a major route for coal transport, construction of Tura to Dalu 51 Km 2-Lane Paved Shoulder Road at a cost of Rs 553 Cr. to be completed by March 2024, DPR for construction of 28 Km 2-Lane Paved Tura Bypass at a cost of Rs 992 Cr. to be completed by Dec 2023.
He said an important bridge is being constructed on the Brahmaputra River from Phulwari in Meghalaya to Dhubri in Assam at a cost of Rs 5,000 Cr. With the construction of this bridge, the distance from Phulwari to Dhubri will be reduced by 203 km.
Gadkari said that India is progressing towards becoming a super economic power and an Atma Nirbhar Bharat under PM Modis guidance. Sabka saath, sabka vikas and sabka prayas is what holds good in all policy related decisions. Modi Govt delivers benefits under its programmes and policies to all without any discrimination on the basis of religion, caste, creed, or gender. Some people due to their vested interests want to instill fear in the minds of people. No fear need be in the minds of any citizen since Modi Govt is a Govt for all, ensuring justice for all and development for all.
