Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari has spelt out his Ministry’s priorities which pose great deal of opportunity for the State and the investors coming in.
Informing about some, the Minister said that 3000 kms of new national highways are coming up the Jharkhand with investment of about 50,000 crore in the next 2.5 years.
“Work on 3000 kms new NHs is about to start in the State. Also, the Sahibgunj bridge over Ganga with investment of Rs 2000 crore is lined up in near future. Also, our focus is on waterways and Sahibgunj is to become multi-model hub and growth engine of the Eastern and North Eastern region,” said Gandaki on Thursday addressing GIS-2017.
Total 1620 kms long waterways in 111 rivers are coming up for river transport, including in Ganga, Hoogli and Subarnarekha that also has 50 kms in the State.
He added that Sahibgunj would be developed as a hub for rail, road and waterways with immense business prospect with NE. Already RORO service, carrying trucks and heavy vehicles on ship, at the cost of 290 crore has begun at the place.
“2.24 MT capacity terminal per annum is coming up at Sahibgunj which would bring down logistic cost down. Coal from the State would be transported to Barh of Bihar. Fertilizer, chemical and edible oil can be transported at cheaper cost between Haldia and Sahibgunj,” said Gadkari, adding that Rs 170 crore has been given to the district administration for rehabilitation where 183 acres of private land need to be acquired.
Talking about long pending Tata-Ranchi highway, the Minister said that it was stuck due to bank finance issue. “We have told the banks to fund 50 per cent of cost and the NHAI is chipping in with Rs 1000 crore. Now there is no delay and I guess that by March 2018, the road would be completed,” said he.
The Minister also outlined the role of Jharkhand in the field of bio-fuels as rice straw, bamboo and other agriculture by-products would be converted into ethanol. “We have made a policy for blending 5 per cent ethanol in fuels and this is going to be brought before the Cabinet.
There is lot of scope in Jharkhand for the generation of 2nd generation bio-fuel. Coal can also be used for making methanol which would substantiate crude oil being imported,” said the Minister.