Top priority to development of Northeast: Nitin Gadkari

LIKABALI (ARUNACHAL): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given top priority to the development of the north east and has decided to build 10,000 km roads at a cost of Rs one lakh crore in the region, including in Arunachal Pradesh, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said here today.

Rs 25,000 crore would be spent for developing roads in Arunachal Pradesh, he said.

"I am aware of your huge expectations from the Centre. If at the desire of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee I could conceive and facilitate building of PMGSY roads at a cost of Rs 60,000 crore to link 1,70,000 villages, roads in Arunachal will not be a difficult task," the Road and Highways Minister said.

"It is your money and every penny should be utilised for your benefit," he said.

"Roads hold key to speed and progress and what could not be done in 50 years I commit to achieve it within next five years," Gadkari said after laying the foundation stones of Akajan-Likabali and Likabali-Bame roads.

The Centre has adopted the mantra of 'Saka saath sabka vikas' to benefit all, he said and rubbished allegations of neglecting dalits.

The Centre is committed to work for the welfare of all rising above caste, creed, religion and parties, he said.

Gadkari announced in principle approval for four-lane Itanagar-Banderdewa NH-52A with rigid pavement and asked the state government to provide free land and submit estimates for approval. He also asked the state government to submit revised estimates for 407-km double-lane Potin-Pangin sanctioned on BOT (annuity) for Rs 1,985 crore urgently to start the work soon.

Sate PWD Minister Gojen Gadi assured allocation of land without compensation.

He also assured early sanction for 2,100-km Mago to Vijaynagar road connecting Tawang district to Changlang district and 431-km East-West Industrial Corridor (EWIC) along the foothills once the state Govt allocates land.

The DPRs for survey of both the projects have been submitted to Minstry of Road Transport and Highways, Gadi said and requested for early approval.