Infra deficit the biggest challenge for eco growth: Nath

NEW DELHI: Describing infrastructure deficit as the biggest challenge in achieving economic growth, Road Transport and Highways Minister Kamal Nath today said building massive road network was aimed at bridging the gap.

"The biggest challenge we have is our infrastructure deficit. In infrastructure deficit the biggest challenge is roads...they are just not merely connectivity. Roads impact agriculture, trade and industry. It generates economic activity," Nath said at the India Today conclave here.

He said nearly forty per cent of the fruits and vegetables destroys in the country in the absence of transportation.

"We are the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables. Forty per cent rot as they don't reach the market place. We have so many manufacturing units coming about from the global markets but until they have port connectivity those manufacturing units will not be able to grow," he said.