After inaugurating three important bridges and two road improvement projects and laying foundation stones for four other major bridge projects across four rivers Gadchiroli, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari said on Sunday that the entire face of the this naxalite-infested district would be transformed in around two years owing to the road-connectivity projects.
After inaugurating and laying the foundation for road projects worth Rs 777 crore through video links in Gadchiroli district in eastern Maharashtra, Gadkari said: “The all-weather road network in far flung areas of Naxal affected districts like Gadchiroli will improve the socio-economic development in the region and in upcoming two years or so the Gadchiroli district will see an all-round transformation”.
The projects inaugurated were Rs 168 crore 855 metre major bridge across Pranahita river (on Nizamabad – Jagdalpur Road (NH 63), Rs 248 crore 630 metre high level bridge across the Indravati River near Patagudam (on Nizamabad – Jagdalpur Road (NH 63), 30 metre high level bridge near Lankachen (on Bejurpalli – Aheri Road), Improvement of Bejurpalli-Aheri Road (SH 275) (between Watra and Moyabinpeta) and Improvement of Garanji – Pustola Road.
Gadchiroli also laid foundation stones for four other major bridge projects across the rivers Wainganga, Bandiya, Perikota and Perimili. These projects are considered crucial for improving mobility for socio-economic development of the Gadchiroli district.
Speaking on the occasion, Gadkari said that with the construction of these key bridges, the National Highway connectivity in Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh –Telangana is complete now.
“This is a dream which has come true after nearly 25 years, when it was conceived when I was a Minister in Maharashtra”.
Gadkari said the total length of National Highway in Gadchiroli district has increased from 54 kms to 647 kms during his tenure. Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has approved 44 road projects of 541 kms length with an outlay of Rs 1,740 crore for Gadchiroli district.The Minister complimented the engineers and contractors who completed the construction of bridges in Gadchiroli, despite the fear of Naxals.
He informed that the bridge across River Indravati was completed under very trying and war like conditions. A police station had to be set up in order to help construct the bridge.
Speaking about his vision for development of backward areas in the capacity of a MSME Minister, Shri Gadkari said with bamboo available in plenty, Gadchiroli could become the hub of Agarbatti manufacturing, whose import has now been stopped.
He said there is a scope to set up 100 units, which would give employment to local people.
The Minister also said that he is initiating project for conversion of rice to ethanol in Gadchiroli as part of bio-fuel development programme.
“This will provide greater value for rice growers and also create jobs” he said, while requesting the State Public Works Minister Shri Eknath Shinde to explore various avenues for job creation in Gadchiroli with a target of providing employment to 10,000 youth.
While complimenting the completion of developmental Road projects in the area, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Gen V K Singh said that the new road projects would go a long way in mainstreaming of people living in LWE areas. He said, an area progressed only when infrastructure was developed there. He said that with more and more infra projects coming up in these areas, the extremism is coming down gradually.
Maharashtra PWD Minister Ashok Chavan said road development in Gadchiroli would help industrial development, job creation and uplift of living standards of people, besides helping in maintenance of law and order.
