Shillong, Sept 25: Following a two day review meeting of every ongoing National Highway project in the North Eastern States with Chief Ministers, Central and State Official, contractors and other stake holders today in Shillong, Union Minister, Road Transport and Highways, Shipping, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Shri Nitin Gadkari said that a decision has been made to give highest priority for Development of Infrastructure to the NE.
The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) is basically responsible for construction of roads in the NE which was established by the government for special road construction, he added.
“The total works in NER under NHIDCL, cost involvement is 1,66,026 Crore, the total works in NER under PWD is 17,257 Crore and the NHAI has completed work of 850 km costing Rs 7000 Crore in the NER, in which, in Meghalaya NHAI is carrying out works in one project (total length – 62 Km) costing Rs 536 Crore where the project will be completed by October 2018” he added.
He encouraged the State government to use running buses on ethanol engine where the ticket rate will be reduced by 50%, pollution free and it can be a new innovation to the NE and also creating employment potential where methanol can be made from bamboo plantation. He also encouraged to convert public transport on electricity by using new innovation, that is, ropeway and cable car which will be a game changer.
