nUnion Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said the Centre in coordination with Delhi and neighboring States are working on a war footing to contain the pollution in the national Capital.
Stating that “pollution and bad air environment” have been a deterrent to tourists in visiting Delhi, Gadkari said projects worth Rs 55,000 crore are on the anvil and under which 150 black spots have been identified other than taking away the vehicle movement from Delhi roads to the peripheral Expressways. Gadkari said this at the Exotica Tourism Summit organized by The Pioneer.
The Road Minister said that his ministry is in talks with the Delhi government, other stakeholders like the DDA and municipalities to expedite the work on these black spots which can be made accident free and pollution free and ensure good roads to motorists.
“I have already done the Dhaula Kuan area congestion free and reports have suggested that the air quality in the entire stretch has improved. Air pollution and local environment affects and impacts a lot on tourists’ mindsets. My government is working on various projects worth Rs 55,000 crore to make the national Capital and neighboring areas pollution free,” said Gadkari at the Summit.
The Centre is developing a Dwarka Expressway costing Rs 10,000 crore and also a dedicated road to connect Delhi airport from Dhaula Kuan, said Gadkari adding that his Ministry has hired a consultant to resolve the bottlenecks at the identified black spots.
The Union Minister also expressed his keenness in developing a Yamuna Riverside Front and in this respect he has already met Delhi L-G couple of times.