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Hello Jammu News at 11:25:00 PM 0
Union minister Nitin Gadkari


New Delhi, Jan 26 :  The government plans to complete three of the 22 expressways and green corridors in the next three years, including the flagship Delhi Mumbai Expressway being built at a new alignment, Union minister Nitin Gadkari has said.

These 22 projects comprising 7,500 km of greenfield expressways and corridors are planned to be completed by FY25 at a cost of Rs 3.10 lakh crore.

"We will complete the flagship Delhi Mumbai Express Highway in the next three years. The work will be done in 51 packages and work has already been started on 18. This will be India's longest expressway at 1,320 km and will reduce travel time between Delhi and Mumbai from 24 hours to 13 hours," the road transport and highways minister said.

Of the projects, six are 2,250 km expressways to be built at a cost of Rs 1.45 lakh crore.

The remaining 16 are greenfield corridors, including 5,250 km projects to be constructed at a cost of Rs 1.65 lakh crore

Besides Delhi Mumbai Expressway, the minister said the trans-Rajasthan and trans-Haryana projects will be completed within the next three years.

About Delhi Mumbai Expressway, he said greenfield alignment has been selected to avoid habitation and optimise cost of land acquisition.

"We have saved about Rs 16,000 crore on land acquisition front alone as land could be acquired at a cost of Rs 80 lakh per hectare for the project," he said, adding that the expressway will unlock new economic opportunities in hinterland districts of Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

The expressway has been taken from concept to award in a record time-frame of less than a year.

He said the new projects will provide alternate routes to diversify traffic, improve geometry/alignment and provide connectivity for major towns, thereby reducing distance and travel times

Besides, these will mitigate issues like land acquisition, utility shifting and other clearances related to brown-field expansion of existing alignment and provide thrust to the economy of backward regions by improving infrastructure, the minister said.
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Hello Jammu News at 10:57:00 PM 0
Nitin Gadkari


New Delhi, Jan 24 :  Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Rood Transport & Highways and MSME along with General (Retd.) V. K. Singh, Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways reviewed projects of all National Highway development, on 23 and 24 January 2020 at Manesar near Gurugram, Haryana. The review was done state wise. All senior officials of the Ministry, NHAI, State Governments, contractors, concessionaires, and consultants attended the review meeting. Every ongoing project was reviewed with a 360-degree view from all stakeholders. The meeting led to identification of issues and way forward with clear timelines for most of the delayed projects. The major reasons found were delay in land acquisition by State Governments, delay in regulatory clearances such as for quarrying etc. In addition, lack of coordination and communication between and within government agencies continues to delay decision making. About 740 National Highway Projects of 16 States were reviewed.

The Minister Shri Gadkari went into the minutest of detail of every project making sure a clear path forward emerged to speed up projects. Officials and contractors also committed to redoubling of efforts to ensure timely completion of projects.

The issue of timely approval of Extension of Time (EOT) and change of scope (COS) was particularly raised by the Contractors/ Concessionaire. As these timely approvals would help in facilitating lending by banks, an on-line tool called “GATI” has been launched and this will be closely monitored at the highest level. Shri Gadkari also instructed to start performance audit of officer and fix responsibility to delays.

The meeting concluded with all stakeholders committing to impart greater momentum to construction of highways by identifying issues holding up/delaying construction and completion of highways.

In order to carry the momentum of the meeting forward, Sh. Gadkari decided that monitoring and review at the official level needs greater attention and focus. To deal with this issue he has directed all chief engineers in the Ministry and all members of NHAI to organise “Review Mondays” on the first and third Monday of every month. On these days no meetings other than for the purpose of review will be held by officials. Technology and video conferencing will be the means for review and monitoring. These days will be dedicated only for reviews to impart more focus on completing highway projects. Delay in completion of projects has a high probability of leading to claims by contractors and hence the focus on review and monitoring by officials of the ministry will lead to cost savings in addition to timely delivery of projects.

Interacting with media after the meeting today, the Minister informed 22 Greenfield Corridors of length 7500 kms is being developed with a total capital cost of Rs. 3.00 lakh crore. Work has started on some while awarding all other projects are/ will be completed expeditiously. These projects are being pursued vigorously and are being implemented on priority. He added that besides reducing length and decongesting existing NHs, the projects will work as growth engines as they fast through the less developed backward / tribal areas. The development of way-side amenities will result in more opportunities for business and employment. The minister also added that the construction of National Highways in terms of kms per day have been increasing and this is targeted to reach the level of 40 kms per day.

The Minister also informed that the pilot project on convergence of National Highway works and conservation of water in Buldhana district in Maharashtra is running successfully. As many as 152 villages benefitted covering a population of 4,83,360 where 22800 wells were recharged and irrigation facilities increased in 1525 hectares. These details were shared with all the Stakeholders in the review meeting with an aim to implement the scheme in more areas.

He also informed that the progress of FASTags was also reviewed. All 537 Toll Plazas are now ETC enabled and more than 1.37 cores FASTags have been issued. My FASTag App has crossed 10 lakh down loads.
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Hello Jammu News at 7:24:00 PM 0
USD 5 trillion economy goal difficult, not impossible: Gadkari


Indore (MP), Jan 18 :  Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Saturday that the goal of making India a USD 5 trillion economy by 2024 was "difficult but not impossible".

It can be achieved by increasing domestic production and reducing dependence on imports, he said at the 29th International Management Conclave of the Indore Management Association here.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders have often spoken about the goal of turning India into a USD 5 trillion economy by 2024.

"Strong political will is very important to achieve any goal. Manifesting the same will, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set ourselves the goal of making the country a USD 5 trillion economy," Gadkari said.

"This goal is difficult but not impossible," he added.

"Our country has plenty of resources and production capacity. Despite that we are spending crores every year on importing goods like medicines, medical devices, coal, copper, papers, etc," the Union minister said.

"If we want to become a USD 5 trillion economy, we have to increase the domestic production of these things instead of importing them," he said.

Referring to the current economic slowdown, Gadkari said, "We are the fastest growing economy in the world. But there is a cycle in the business. Challenges crops up, at times due to the global economy and sometimes because of a gap in demand and supply.

"But I see India's future in the leaders of younger generation who can turn difficulties and challenges into opportunities," Gadkari said.

There was no dearth of capital, resources and technology in the country, "but there is definitely a lack of right vision and leadership in different fields", he said.

Exports will be encouraged by focusing on increasing the participation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the development, the minister said.

"This will help create five crore new jobs....The government is asking every department what it can contribute to achieve the target of USD 5 trillion economy," Gadkari added.
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Hello Jammu News at 12:39:00 PM 0


New Delhi, Oct 10 (PTI) Union Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari Wednesday said his ministry had notified the minimum environmental flows for Ganga river that was to be maintained at various locations on the water body. 


Environmental flows are the acceptable flow regimes that are required to maintain a river in the desired environmental state or predetermined state. 

Calling this a significant development, Gadkari said the notification of e-flow for the river would go a long way in ensuring its continuous flow. 

Reiterating the government's commitment towards a continuous and clean Ganga, he said the draft Ganga Act will be sent to the Cabinet for approval.

"This is a very significant moment. The discussions on notifying e-flow of Ganga have been going on for a long time. We have taken this step to ensure a minimum amount of flow in the river," Gadkari said.

The notification issued by the government Tuesday will ensure that the river has at least the minimum required environmental flow of water even after its flow gets diverted by projects and structures for purposes like irrigation, hydropower, domestic and industrial use. 

This is an important step taken towards maintaining the uninterrupted flow of the river, Gadkari said.

The flow conditions in these river reaches will be monitored at hourly intervals from time to time.

The Central Water Commission (CWC) will be the designated authority and the custodian of the data.

It will be responsible for supervision, monitoring, regulation of flows and reporting of necessary information to the appropriate authority as and when required and also take emergent decisions about the water storage norms in case of any emergency.

The project developers or authorities concerned will have to install automatic data acquisition and data transmission facilities at appropriate locations at project sites within six months. 

The Centre, through National Mission for Clean Ganga, may direct for release of additional water in the Ganga river to meet special demand as and when required.

The notification also stipulates that the central and state authorities concerned shall implement demand side management plans to reduce water withdrawal from the river by adopting good and scientific practices such as efficient method of irrigation, reuse and recycle of water, including monitoring and regulation of groundwater withdrawals for various purposes.

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Hello Jammu News at 9:06:00 AM 0


Raipur, Sep 10 : Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said Monday that Chhattisgarh has immense potential for production of bio-fuel.

Addressing a gathering at Charoda in Durg district of the state, he said use of alternative fuels will cut down our dependence on petrol and diesel.

Gadkari laid foundation stones of or dedicated total of eight construction works worth Rs 4,251 crore, including four fly-overs between Raipur to Durg Monday.

"Growth rate of the agriculture sector in Chhattisgarh is very good. Production of rice, wheat, pulses and sugarcane is abundant here, but the state can also emerge as a bio-fuel (production) hub," he said.

Bio-fuel produced from jatropha plant in Chhattisgarh was used in the first biofuel-powered flight which took off from Dehradun and landed in Delhi recently, he said.

The state has immense potential for production of bio-fuel which will create job opportunities for farmers, tribals and forest-dwellers and empower them, he said.

A research institute on biotechnology should be set up in the state capital Raipur which can help the state lead in the production of alternative fuels in the country, he said.

Switching to ethanol, methanol, bio-fuel and CNG will cut down dependence on petroleum and reduce the prices of petrol and diesel, he said.

"We are importing petrol and diesel worth Rs 8 lakh crore and prices are increasing. Rupees is falling against dollar. I have been saying for last 15 years that farmers, Adivasi (tribals) and forest-dwellers of the country can produce ethanol, methanol, bio-fuel and can (become rich enough to) fly planes..." the Union minister said.

"We have decided to exempt vehicles including auto-rickshaws, buses, taxis run on alternative fuels like ethanol, biodiesel, CNG, methanol and bio-fuel from permit requirements," he said.

"Our petroleum ministry is setting up five ethanol plants, where the fuel will be produced from paddy straw, wheat straw, sugarcane and municipal waste. (Consequently) Diesel will be available at Rs 50 per litre and petrol at Rs 55," he said.

Saying that he has approved the projects demanded by the Chhattisgarh government, he said, "I am the only minister who has no dearth of money (for his department). I have so far inaugurated works worth Rs 40 lakh crore.

"I have no dearth of money but I ensure that the work is done in a good way. After getting works worth Rs 40 lakh crore executed, I can confidently say that no contractor had to come to the office with bills (to get them passed). All the works which were done were corruption-free and done in a transparent manner," the Union minister said.

Chief Minister Raman Singh was also present on the occasion.PTI
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Hello Jammu News at 5:30:00 PM 0

Chennai, Aug 7: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami today met Union Minister Nitin Gadkari here and discussed various road and port projects concerning the state.

Palaniswami, who holds the Highways and Minor Ports portfolio, also presented a memorandum to Gadkari in this regard, an official release said.

Meanwhile, BJP state unit President Tamilisai Soundarrajan, underlined the party-led Centres' commitment to Tamil Nadu's growth.

Responding to reporters' query about the meeting between Palaniswami and Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping, she said "growth projects" regarding Tamil Nadu were discussed between the two leaders.

"As far as our BJP government is concerned, we want big growth projects to come to Tamil Nadu," she added.

Among the big ticket projects in Tamil Nadu is the Salem-Chennai eight-lane expressway, a Central scheme that has witnessed strict opposition from some quarters, especially farmers, over land acquisition. (PTI)
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Hello Jammu News at 6:01:00 PM 0

New Delhi, Jul 13: With an eye on the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address 50 rallies across the country by February next year, covering more than 100 Lok Sabha constituencies, sources said.

BJP chief Amit Shah and senior leaders Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari will address 50 rallies each, a source said.

The source said that the prime minister will address 50 rallies across the country by February next year, covering more than 100 Lok Sabha constituencies.

All these rallies have been planned to prepare the ground for the party's campaign. Each rally is being designed so that it covers 2-3 Lok Sabha constituencies, the source said.

Before the election dates of the Lok Sabha elections are announced, the BJP will already have covered at least 400 Lok Sabha constituencies by organising 200 rallies, a party leader said.

Besides these 50 rallies, Modi will also address rallies in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, where elections are scheduled later this year, the party leader said.

Wednesday's rally in Malout in Punjab was the first of these rallies. Another similar farmers gathering is being planned at Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh this month.

A party source said that this exercise has been planned to bring the organisation into election mode and prepare a platform for the BJP's campaign. (PTI)
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Hello Jammu News at 7:50:00 PM 0

Discusses road projects, seeks approval for new developmental works
NEW DELHI, JULY 12: Speaker, J&K Legislative Assembly, Dr Nirmal Singh today met Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, Nitin Gadkari to discuss various issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir.
Dr Singh informed Mr Gadkari that the DPR of National Highway is almost completed on Dinga Amn – Challan – Udhampur Road. He sought the approval for construction of Tunnel near Mata Bala Sundri between Kathua and Billawar. He further asked the Union Minister to grant approval for the construction of Kohag to Tilla via Lower Lahri and Gurha Barota to Jakhole roads under CRF at the earliest.
While briefing on progress being made on mega projects including Jammu-Akhnoor 4-lanning, Ring Road and PMGSY roads, Dr Singh informed that the work on land acquisition and utility shifting on these projects has been expedited.
He further impressed upon the Union Minister for accelerating the process of funding pattern under Central Road Fund (CRF).
 Nirmal Singh called for undertaking the necessary measures for providing the much-needed connectivity to the unconnected and far flung areas and asked for extending the vital support by the Central Government in taking up of new projects under various sectors for convenience of people and the development of the State.
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Hello Jammu News at 12:47:00 PM 0

Visakhapatnam, Jul 12: Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari will launch various development projects under the Sagarmala and Bharatmala projects worth Rs 3,685.35 crore here tomorrow.

The minister, who is here on a two-day visit for the annual review of the country's port sector as well as the Sagarmala and Bharatmala projects, will inaugurate two new post Panamax Rail-Mounted Quay Cranes and allied equipment at the Visakhapatnam Container Terminal Private Limited.

They have been installed at a cost of Rs 150 crore, according to Visakhapatnam Port Trust chairman M T Krishna Babu.

Gadkari would also inaugurate the upgraded and modernised iron ore handling complex at VPT, built at a cost of Rs 580 crore under the public-private partnership model, the chairman said.

He would inaugurate a new fire station complex at VPT and a high-rise wall (to prevent pollution) and launch a 2,000 sapling plantation programme.

This Rs 10.35-crore project is a part of the VPT's measures to curb air pollution.

The minister would later drive to Beach Road in Visakhapatnam city to lay the foundation stone for a Rs 549-crore four-lane road connectivity project to the Visakhapatnam Port under the Bharatmala programme.

He would also lay the foundation stone for six-laning of Anandapuram-Anakapalle section of NH-16 that would cost Rs 2,013 crore.

Krishna Babu said Gadkari would inaugurate WQ 7 and 8 berths constructed at a cost of Rs 243 crore and inaugurate the expanded (two to four lane) stretch of port connectivity road (Rs 80 crore).

He would also lay the foundation for a grade separator on the road that would cost Rs 60 crore.

These three projects were being taken up by the VPT in a joint venture with the National Highways Authority of India, Krishna Babu added.

Gadkari would leave for Nagpur tomorrow night. (PTI)
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Hello Jammu News at 12:06:00 PM 0

New Delhi, Jul 7 :  The Railways has dispatched its first state-of-the-art air-conditioned commuter train to Nagpur after Union minister Nitin Gadkari had mooted a proposal to bring them to his constituency, officials said.

Rolled out on June 29 by the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, the stainless steel-bodied mainline electrical multiple unit (MEMU) features 3-phase on-board electrics and modular toilets in every coach.

As many as 139 people can sit in each coach, while the 'standing capacity' is 412. This MEMU train can carry upto 2,402 passengers.

In April, the road transport & highways minister had said that the Regional Rapid Transit System with the modern MEMU would replace the existing passenger trains in Nagpur.

In an inter-ministerial meeting, he had proposed introducing such trains on the broad gauge lines connecting Nagpur with the satellite towns of Kotal, Bhandara, Ramtek and Wardha -- all within a distance of 40-60 km.

The train, with the maximum speed of 110 km per hour, will run on Nagpur's suburban train system catering to the needs of medium distance inter-city passengers, officials said.

With low maintenance requirements and a suspension monitoring system, the train will also ensure jerk-free journey for those on-board.

"The traction system is energy efficient and provides improved acceleration and braking performance and therefore, are faster compared to the conventional locomotive hauled passenger train services," an official said.

The train has stainless steel slip-free flooring for durable and safe travel, bench-type cushioned seats for comfortable journey, and wider vestibules between coaches for safe and easy inter-coach travel.

It will also feature lightweight aluminium double leaf sliding doors for easy entry and exit of passengers, and bogies with air spring in secondary suspension for better ride comfort cushioned seats.

It also has CCTV facility for enhanced passenger safety, GPS-based Passenger Information System and Passenger Address System for train-related information and FRP interior panels to give a pleasing aesthetic view, in all coaches.PTI

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Hello Jammu News at 2:52:00 PM 0

Mumbai, Jul 3: The opposition is uniting against the BJP because it is strong, Union minister Nitin Gadkari has said, predicting a win for his party in the Lok Sabha elections next year.

The implementation of the proposal to hold parliamentary and Assembly polls simultaneously would need the cooperation of all parties, the minister said yesterday.

The BJP would make efforts to convince the Shiv Sena to contest the Lok Sabha polls in alliance with his party, Gadkari added.

The Shiv Sena, a constituent of the ruling NDA, has passed a resolution to go solo in the next general and Maharashtra Assembly elections, both to be held next year.

"People will unite against a strong person. They are uniting against us (the BJP) because we are strong," Gadkari said at the executive meeting of the Federation of Employees' Union here last night.

"We will sit in the opposition if not elected (to power). But we are going to emerge victorious. We have done a good job and we will retain power under Modiji's leadership," said the minister, who holds multiple portfolios, including shipping and water resources. (PTI)
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Hello Jammu News at 6:53:00 PM 0


Modi on day’s visit to J&K
Equitable development of all regions aim of my Govt., commitment of AoA: Mehbooba
PM, CM pay rich tributes to Kaushak Bakula
LEH, MAY 19: Prime Minister, Narendra Modi formally kickstarted commencement of work on the mega Zojila tunnel project here today.
Governor, N N Vohra; Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti; Union Minister for Roads & Highways, Nitin Gadkari; Deputy Chief Minister, Kanvinder Gupta; Minister of State in PMO, Dr. Jitendra Singh; Chairman, Legislative Council, Haji Anayat Ali; Minister for Public Works & Culture, Naeem Akhtar; Minister for Cooperatives & Ladakh Affairs, T. Dorjey; Member Parliament, Thupsen Chewang; Chairman, LAHDC, Leh, Thupsen Motup; Chief Secretary, B B Vyas; Director General of Police, Dr. S P Vaid; Executive Councillors; officers and a large number of people were present on the occasion.
The 14.2 kilometre long tunnel would be constructed at a cost of Rs.6809 crore and would be completedin seven years. On its completion, the tunnel would lessen the travel time on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh road from 3.30 hours to just 15 minutes.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti said the construction of the Zojila tunnel would cut down the psychological divide between people of different regions in the State by a great measure. She said the tunnel would not only increase the tourism activities in Ladakh region but also the communication between students, traders and common masses and it would give a major relief to local people who would be at the mercy of harsh winters during closure of the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh Highway in winters.
Mehbooba Mufti said her Governent is committed towards the development of all regions in the State on equal footing and in this regard historic steps have been taken by her Government. She said construction of Zojila tunnel was the commitment of her Government towards the people of Ladakh and today she is happy to see that commitment getting fulfilled on ground. This is also a commitment made in the Agenda of Alliance which my Government is fulfilling, she added. She hoped the tunnel would get completed within the shortest possible time so that it not only bridges the geographical barriers between the regions but also the economic and psychological barriers between its people.
Paying rich tributes to late Koshak Bakula, the Chief Minister described him as the architect of modern Ladakh whose contribution in the social, educational and political development of the region can never be forgotten. She also complimented the people of the region for their honesty, hospitality and simple way of life.
Mehbooba Mufti said the region has a great scope for winter sports and the youth from Ladakh have displayed their sporting talent at ample times. She pitched for construction of two high quality indoor stadia at Leh and Kargil so that the sporting activity becomes a round the year affair in the region.
Earlier, the Prime Minister arrived at a day’s visit to the State. He was received at the Leh airport by Governor, N N Vohra; Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti; Deputy Chief Minister, Kanvinder Gupta; Chairman, Legislative Council, Haji Anayat Ali; Minister for Public Works & Culture, Naeem Akhtar; Minister for Cooperatives & Ladakh Affairs, T. Dorjey; Member Parliament, Thupsen Chewang; Chairman, LAHDC, Leh, Dorjey Motup; Chief Secretary, B B Vyas; Director General of Police, Dr. S P Vaid; Executive Councillors; senior officers and a large number of people.

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Hello Jammu News at 12:55:00 PM 0

Aurangabad, Maharashtra, May 8: Union Minister of State for Social Justice and RPI-A president Ramdas Athawale on Tuesday said he was not happy being a member of the Rajya Sabha, hence, he will contest in the next Lok Sabha election. 
Talking to media persons here in evening after distributing gas agency to identified beneficiary of the Scheduled Caste community under the Ujjwala scheme, he said, "I have already discussed with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari about a safe Lok Sabha constituency, including South Mumbai or Ramtek." 
He added that if BJP-Shiv Sena forged alliance in LS poll, then he will ask for the South Mumbai constituency. 
Talking about ongoing differences between BJP and Shiv Sena, the RPI-A chief said, "I have informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard and hopes Uddhav Thackeray and Mr Modi will meet soon and sort out the differences."
He also clarified that Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Mr Modi were not against Dalits.
On Mr Gandhi's claim that he would become Prime Minister in 2019 if the party wins the Lok Sabbha election, Mr Athawale in his style replied,"agar das pandraha saal tak rahegi Narendra Modi  ki aandhi to fir kaise Panta pradhan banege Rahul Gandhi (if the Modi wave remains for next 10-15 years, then how will Mr Gandhi become prime minister?)."
Talking about unity amongst the Dalits, he said, "Those who are forming groups daily are talking about Dalit unity. I am ready for the unity if the entire Bahujan Samaj comes together, then there will be real unity." UNI
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Hello Jammu News at 7:28:00 PM 0


Hyderabad, May 4: Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Jairam Gadkari will lay the foundation stone for the flyovers at Uppal and Amberpet here on Saturday.
To ease traffic flow in the city, the 1.6-km flyover at Amberpet will be taken up by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) in association with the Roads and Buildings Department. 
The project to be constructed at a cost of Rs 467.55 crore will have Central government share of Rs 226.88 crore while the rest will be borne by the Telangana government.
However, the Uppal flyover will be constructed at a cost of Rs 1,395 crore and in which the Central government will provide Rs 626.76 crore while the remaining share (Rs 768.26 crore), is from the State government.
The two projects had been cleared by the Central government earlier after several requests was made by the state government. UNI


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Hello Jammu News at 8:18:00 PM 0

Mehbooba stresses on taking Vailoo, Sughmahadev tunnels, Mughal Road, other projects as national priority

New Delhi, May 02: The Centre has agreed in principle to accord National Highway status to Mughal Road connecting Jammu and Kashmir provinces through Pir Panchal region. The Centre has also decided to put the construction of Vailoo-Singhpora and Chenani-Sudhmahadev tunnels on the fast track mode to expedite the start of work.
These decisions were taken in a marathon meeting of officers held here today with Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH),  Nitin Gadkari and Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti jointly in chair.
Minister for Public Works & Culture, Naeem Akhtar was also present in the meeting.
The meeting was informed that the process for formulation of project reports for these projects has already been started and the consultancy report has been received by the Union Government and with the melting of snow on these roads further action would be initiated.
Terming connectivity critical in bridging the mental divide between the people of Kashmir and rest of the country, the Chief Minister stressed on taking these tunnel projects in mission mode as a national priority.
The Chief Minister also raised the fast tracking of Baramulla-Gulmarg-Loran road which was founded in 2015. The road would provide alternatate connectivity to Gulmarg via Poonch thus ensuring more inter regional connectivity and giving the tourist inflow a push as well.
The Union Minister directed the concerned agencies to use latest technologies and soil stabilising methods to get ahead on the construction so that the project is completed at the earliest.
Mehbooba Mufti also took up the issue of 80 kilometre long Doda-Dessa-Kapran road connecting Doda district with Anantnag. The Union Minister directed completion of all formalities on the project including forest clearances for its quick consideration.
The Chief Minister also raised the issue of widening of Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and the bottlenecks coming in the way on the Ramban-Banihal stretch. She stressed on attaching national importance to the project as it is the only Highway connecting Kashmir Valley with rest of the country.
The Union Minister assured the Chief Minister that he would himself review the status of all these connectivity projects soon with all the concerned agencies. He also directed constitution of an expert team which would visit the Jawahar tunnel and inspect the repairs to be done as suggested by the Chief Minister.
In a significant decision involving local youth, Mr. Gadkari on the persistent demand of Mehbooba Mufti, directed training of 3000-4000 local youth in tunneling, highway construction, earth cutting and stabilisation works etc. by concerned project executing agencies so that subsequently they are engaged in similar projects.
On the suggestion of the Chief Minister, the Union Minister also directed the project executing agencies to associate local youth in the material supplies and other ancilliary works so that the socio economic development of the catchment areas is also taken care of.
It may be recalled here that projects worth Rs. 60, 000 crore in infrastructure including highways, tunnels and roads are under execution in the State currently.
The Chief Minister also sought construction of grade separators and flyovers on the National Highway where it touches major towns like Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Awantipore, Bijbehara and Srinagar to check the frequent traffic jams besides construction of a Bye Pass at Anantnag on the Donipawa-Ashajipora road stretch.
The meeting was also informed of complete and satisfactory utilisation of Rs.  332 crore under Central Road Fund by the State Government.
The meeting was also informed that the inception report of the water transport in the Jhelum river has been completed and the Detailed Project Report in this regard would come in next month. The Chief Minister, it may be mentioned here, had sought revival of water transport across the Jhelum river to provide an alternate transportantion mode and enhance the tourist attraction of the place.
Secretary, MoRTH, Udhveer Singh; Secretary,  Ministry of Water Resources, V P Singh; Principal Resident Commissioner, R K Gupta; Commissioner, Indus Commission, P K Saxena; Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Rohit Kansal; Secretary, PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Sanjeev Verma and other senior officers from J&K Government and Central Government were present on the occasion.
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Hello Jammu News at 6:36:00 PM 0


New Delhi, Apr 3: Union Road Transport and Highways, Shipping, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said an expressway will be constructed between Delhi and Mumbai due to which the distance between these two metros will be reduced by 106 km.
Addressing a press conference here, Mr Gadkari said this expressway is needed to connect the metros of Delhi and Mumbai.
He said the six-laned expressway will facilitate movement between the two metros and the distance of these cities by road will be reduced by nearly 106 kilometres.
The Minister said the biggest feature of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is that it will be linked to undeveloped, backward and tribal areas so that the development of these areas can be done easily. UNI
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Hello Jammu News at 12:06:00 PM 0


Panaji, Mar 21: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari has said that the Central Government under Sagarmaala scheme has taken up connecting 11 major rivers and would construct 60 new ports in the years to come.
Speaking after inaugurating inland ferry services Jetty and four lane overhead road at Baina Vasco in South Goa on Tuesday, he said,"Our country has 7500 kms stretch of coastal area which needs to developed as water ways. This he said will reduce the cost of transport in future. Under Sagarmala scheme, the Government has taken up to connecting 11 major rivers and to construct 60 ports along the coastal area."
He said government had twofold intention behind developing inland waterways. 
"One among this is to is to promote transport and other is tourism. With the promotion of water transport the pressure of traffic on road would be reduced. The Central Government has invested Rs. 17500 Crores for the development of waterways across the country," he said.
He called upon the people of Goa to have positive approach to make the development possible in Goa. The ecology and environment of Goa would be accorded priority while undertaking developmental works, he assured.
Union Minister of State for Ayush ( Independent charge ) Shripad Naik while addressing the gathering lauded the contribution by the central Minister in the development of the state. The development of waterways, he said, was need of the hour. 
The inauguration of inland ferry services and jetty will help in the promotion of waterways and for tourist activities, he added. UNI
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Hello Jammu News at 1:51:00 PM 0


Panaji, Mar 20: Union Minister for Shipping Nitin Gadkari on Monday held a meeting with the party legislators and ministers at a hotel in the city.
The meeting was also atteneded by Union Minister for AYUSH Shripad Naik and Bharatiya Janata Party Goa unit President Vinay Tendulkar.
According to sources, the rumours about leadership change due to illness of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was brought to the notice of Mr Gadkari. 
The meeting also discussed mining issue and forthcoming celebration of the 38th Foundation Day of the party on April 6, 2018.
The union minister is expected to meet mining stakeholders in the state on Tuesday. He is also likely to meet leaders of coalition partners Goa Forward Party and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP). UNI
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Hello Jammu News at 5:18:00 PM 0



New Delhi, Mar 19: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has apologised to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for levelling 'unverified allegations' against the latter.
Sources said that in his letter to Mr Gadkari, Mr Kejriwal said, "I made certain statements, without regard to its verifiability, which seem to have hurt you and, therefore, you have filed a defamation case against me. I have nothing personal against you. I regret the same. Let us put the incident behind us and bring the court proceedings to a closure."
The sources said after the apology letter, Mr Kejriwal and Mr Gadkari filed a joint application to withdraw the defamation case in Delhi's Patiala House Court.
Kejriwal's apology to the Union Minister comes close on the heels of his apology to former Punjab minister Bikram Singh Majithia for making false allegations of his alleged involvement in the drug trade .
In a letter addressed to Mr Majithia, the AAP convener said, "In the recent past I made certain statements and allegations against you regarding your alleged involvement in drug trade. These statements became a political issue. Now I have learnt that allegations are unfounded. Hence there should be no politics on such issues." UNI
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Hello Jammu News at 5:19:00 PM 0


New Delhi, Feb 8: Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday called upon all parties to rise above partisan politics and cooperate in clearing Road Transport and Safety Bill in Parliament.
If the law had been approved by Parliament, the deaths on Indian roads could have been lower, Mr Gadkari affirmed during Lok Sabha Question Hour.
Road accidents, he said, had decreased in 2016 compared to the previous year and could have been less. 
During 2014, 1,39,671 people died in 4,89,400 road mishaps; in 2015, total 1,46,133 in 5,01,423 accidents while 1,50,785 lives were lost in 2016 in 4,80,652 accidents.
He said Road and Transport ministry had taken a number of steps to prevent road accidents.
Government has approved a National Road Safety Policy outlining measures including promoting awareness, establishing road safety information database and encouraging safer road infrastructure, he said. 
The Ministry has constituted National Road Safety Council as the apex body to take policy decisions in the matters of road safety, the minister said, adding that all states/UTs have been requested to set up state road council and district road safety committees, and to hold meetings regularly.
The Ministry, Mr Gadkari said, had formulated a multi-pronged strategy to address the issue of road safety based on 4 Es -- Education, Engineering (both roads and vehicles), Enforcement and Emergency care. UNI
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