Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari laid foundation and inaugurated 31 projects to the tune of Rs 13,296 crore in Jharkhand on Thursday. Out of the 31 projects nine are for Jamshedpur region, with an estimated cost of Rs 3,378 crore and 21 are for Ranchi region, with an investment of Rs 9,453 crore.

On the occasion, the Union Minister assured to strengthen the road infrastructure in the State and said that a network of highways worth Rs 2 lakh crores will be established in Jharkhand by the year 2024. He said that the network of world class roads will be set up in the State including parts of the Bharatmala and economic corridors to pull Jharkhand in the league of developed States.

Attending two back to back programmes in Jamshedpur and Ranchi on Thursday Gadkari also laid the foundation of the first of kind elevated corridor in Jamshedpur.

Addressing people at the foundation laying and inauguration programme in Ranchi the Union Minister said that the projects being seen now by the people of the State are just trailers. “I promise I will deliver Rs 2 lakh crore road infrastructure projects in Jharkhand," he said.

“Roads in Jharkhand will be of the standard of roads in the US as I believe that road is the parameter of development of any nation," he said.
    
Gadkari further said the State has abundant natural resources apart from coal and iron and an excellent infrastructure here could propel it to develop, which in turn will lead to the growth of the nation. He said that a good network of roads and highways will boost industrial activity in the State and also create enormous employment opportunities.

The Union Minister, on the occasion, also asked the State government to send proposals for ropeways. He said that no such proposal was received from Jharkhand, while on the other hand 260 such proposals have been received from states throughout the country.

Gadkari also stressed on the use of green energy to run vehicles and other equipment/machines. He urged farmers of the State to step forward for production of ethanol from stubble, rice straw, etc.

Addressing a public meeting at Gopal Maidan in Bistupur, Gadkari said the proposed double-decker corridor will add a new chapter to the country's glorious road network. The project has been to ease the vehicular communication between Kolkata-Ranchi route but will also augment the beauty of the steel city.

“It will be a new milestone for Jharkhand. Jamshedpur MP, Bidyut Baran Mahto has raised the demand for a double-decker elevated corridor. But what is a matter of pride for Jamshedpur is this project will be the first of its kind in the country,” said Nitin Gadkari while addressing the gathering.

The proposed elevated double-decker corridor will be 10.2-kms long and will be set up between a stretch starting from Pardih Kali Mandir to Baliguma on the NH-33.

On the occasion, the Union minister laid the foundation stone online for nine other road projects across Kolhan comprising the twin districts of Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan involving over Rs 2,000 crores. Gadkari also inaugurated online the four-lane work of the Jamshedpur-Mahulia section for formally opening the stretch on the NH-33 for commuters.

On the occasion, several senior officers of the NHAI besides dignitaries from Tata Steel and district administration were present. Former chief minister, Raghubar Das, Jamshedpur MP, Bidyut Baran Mahto and Chaibasa MP, Geeta Koda who attended the function had also addressed the gathering.