- The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has been actively expanding national highways in the country for the last few years.
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday reviewed the progress of 21 ongoing National Highway projects spanning over 747 km in Kerala, the minister said in a post on social media platform “X”.
Union Minister Gadkari was accompanied by Union Minister of State (MoS) for Road Transport and Highways, Ajay Tamba and Minister of State (MoS) for Tourism and Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi as well as senior officials at the new Bharat Mandapam. Delhi.
The Central Government is actively working for the expansion of National Highways in the country. Gadkari inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 12 national highway projects with a total length of over 105 km in January this year. 1464 crores.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the proposed projects aim to enhance seamless connectivity between Tamil Nadu and Kerala, thereby ensuring fast and hassle-free transportation.
The initiative promises to reduce overall transportation costs. Additionally, the focus on eliminating black spots on national highways is expected to lead to a significant reduction in road accidents, the ministry said.
It further said that the venture is set to generate substantial direct and indirect employment opportunities while promoting socio-economic development in Kerala.
Additionally, according to the ministry, better access to Munnar is expected to boost tourism potential, while the construction of a high-level bridge will eliminate a 27-kilometre detour during floods, streamline travel and promote Kerala's key products. Exports will benefit.
As per the official document, 8 major projects with total length of 198 km with total cost of Rs. Rs 4,043 crore are in various stages of progress. For 1,290 km NH, approximately Rs. Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Rs. Preparations worth Rs 27,650 crore are being made. Under Setu Bharatam, approximately Rs. 4 ROBs have been identified costing Rs. 200 crores. According to the government, these projects will prove to be a boon for Kerala's economy and tourism. Some of the landmark projects being developed in the states include Thiruvananthapuram Bypass, Thalassery – Mahe Bypass and Kuthiran Tunnel.
Three major greenfield NH projects are also in the pipeline. They are 4-lane Palakkad to Kozhikode section of NH-966, 4-lane Greenfield Road from Kochi to KL/TN border section of NH-85, and 4-lane Thiruvananthapuram – Kottarakarra – Kottayam – Angamaly (MC Road).
In his written reply in the Rajya Sabha last year, Gadkari had said that the Kerala government has agreed to share 25 per cent of the land acquisition cost of Rs 5748 crore for 16 ongoing projects on NH-66, of which Rs 5581 is Rs. Rs crore have been deposited.
Additionally, he said the Kerala government has also agreed to share 25 per cent of the land acquisition cost, amounting to Rs 4440 crore, for the upcoming three greenfield NH projects.
He said the state government has agreed to share 50 per cent cost of land acquisition, 100 per cent cost of service road and exemption from state GST and royalty for the Thiruvananthapuram Outer Ring Road section of NH-866.
According to the Minister, during the last 5 years, about 160 km of NH has been constructed by NHAI in the state of Kerala.
According to data shared by the ministry in January this year, India has about 66.71 lakh km of road network, the second largest in the world. The total length of national highways is 1,46,145 km.
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First publication date: 03 October 2024, 09:06 am IST