Gaya: Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said that total network of National Highways in Bihar will equal such network of America in the next five years.
Gadkari, while addressing a function organised to mark inauguration and foundation stone laying ceremony of road projects worth Rs 3,700 Crores here, said that Centre was providing all possible assistance to Bihar in increasing its quality road network across the state to improve communication facilities to people. Vast network of roads in Bihar had helped in travelling time of several destinations in state, he said.
“A total of Rs 5 lakh crores would be invested in road connectivities in Bihar once the present term of Narendra Modi government ends in next five years “, the Union Minister said adding that Narendra Modi government was extending all assistance to Bihar to make it prosperous and developed state, wiping out sufferings of the people.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, NDA government was performing well in Bihar, he added.
Gadkari said that he had been always prepared to approve the road projects of Bihar government and public representatives of the state after assessing its feasibility. If Bihar government made acquisition of lands for the projects, Centre would ensure its completion at accelerated pace, he assured.
The Union Minister said that Bihar had vast potential of ethanol production. It was also pointed by him earlier that Bihar could do it successfully without any hiccups, he said.
“With start of ethanol production in Bihar, farmers of sugarcane were now getting Rs 2400 per quintal of their produce”, Gadkari said, adding, that petroleum products were being imported worth Rs 22 lakhs crores per year. Production of Ethanol would help in reducing import bill of petroleum
products, he added.
He had car using hundred percent ethanol as fuel, Gadkari stated.
The Minister said that road was being constructed for Mansarovar yatra from Pitauragarh in Uttarakhand and pilgrims would not be required to go to China or Nepal for reaching the destination.
He said that his Ministry had approved more projects worth Rs 15,000 Crores for Bihar and would lay its foundation stones during his next visit to the state.
Gadkari while addressing 22nd conference of Economic Association of Bihar organised by Magadgh University, said that Narendra Modi government was committed to improve the condition of the common man in the country. Policy should be prepared taking into consideration of ground realities of the country and not of other policies being adopted in US or other countries, he added.
The Union Minister said that caste feelings could not be tolerated as it was totally unwarranted and undesirable. Anyone visiting restaurant, never asked caste of those serving there, he pointed out.
UNI
