Gadkari, Rajnath to lay foundation stones for several projects in Andaman and Nicobar

NEW DELHI: Union ministers Nitin Gadkari and Rajnath Singh will lay foundation stones for four national highway projects and many shipping projects worth Rs 1,321 crore during their two-day visit to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which begins today.

The highways projects include construction of 26 km of stretch between Beodnabad-Ferrargunj at a cost of Rs 170 crore and 56 km between Austin Creek and Kalra Junction at a cost of Rs 410 crore, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said in a statement.

In addition, the foundation stone will be laid for construction of Middle Strait Creek Bridge and Humphrey Strait Creek Bridge at estimated cost of Rs 262.97 crore and Rs 277.17 crore, respectively, it added.


Union Road Transport and Highways, Shipping and Water Resources Minister Gadkari, along with Home Minister Rajnath Singh, will lay the foundation stone for highway projects worth Rs 1,121 crore and several shipping projects worth Rs 200 crore in Andaman and Nicobar Islands in events at Port Blair, Diglipur and Baratang today and tomorrow, the statement said.

An alternate sea route to Baratang Island, which aims improve the connectivity of island from Port Blair and reduces traffic, would also be launched.

Both the ministers will also lay the foundation stone for extension of Wharf in Hope Town, Port Blair by 200 meters. Indian Oil Corporation uses Wharf to discharge LPG and other petroleum products.

"The extension of jetty would allow berthing of bigger vessels of up to 160 meter length and higher capacity. This will help in increasing availability of LPG cylinders in the area while reducing logistic costs," it said.

As part of its drive towards ensuring and upholding the cause of Swachh Bharat mission, the National Highways Authority of India has so far planted about 10 lakh plants along national highways in this monsoon season, the ministry said in a statement.