Remove project roadblocks on war footing: Nitin Gadkari to officials

NEW DELHI: Concerned that 23 of 67 highway projects at the regional level are running behind schedule, Union minister Nitin Gadkari today asked officials to address the issues causing the roadblock on "a war footing".

Taking stock of the projects, the road transport and highways minister was informed that in 23 cases, the appointed date is beyond schedule, an official said.

"Finding that the delays were on account of land acquisition and regulatory hurdles like forest clearance, the minister asked the officials concerned to expedite these on a war footing," the official added.

The delayed projects pertain to Dehradun, Lucknow, Bhubaneswar, Ranchi, Gandhinagar, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Shimla and Patna.