On 29th august,2017 Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Rajasthan to inaugurate few highway projects and to dedicate some to our nation along with road transport and highways minister Nithin Gadkari. He informed that his government is setting in a culture of completion of projects unlike previous governments. The assembly polls in Rajasthan is going to take place next year. PM Modi will also visit Pratap Gaurav Kendra which exhibits the valour and achievements of Maharana Pratap and pay his homage to the famous King of Mewar.
Highlights of his visit :
1. He laid foundation stone and inaugurated national highway projects worth Rs 15,000 crore.
2. He dedicated 11 national highways to the nation. These highways cover a total length of 873 kms and inaugurated a suspension bridge built across the Chambal river at Kota, making it the first 6-lane cable suspended bridge in the Rajasthan. The bridge, 1.4 km in length, is constructed at a cost of Rs 278 crore at Kota. PM added that he is happy that his government is able to complete the dream project of Atal Bihari Vaipaiyee ,” Golden Quadrilateral”.
3. The PM also performed bhoomi pujan for 6 NH projects of approximately 556 kms.
4. The list of completed projects include laning of Gomati Chauraha-Udaipur section of NH-8 at total capital cost of around Rs 1,120 crore and laning of Rajsamand-Bhilwara section of NH-75 with total capital cost of over Rs 1,350 crore.
5. PM Modi will perform bhoomi pujan of 6 laning of Chittorgarh to Udaipur section of NH-76 at a total capital cost of around Rs 1,220 crore and 6 laning of the new Udaipur bypass on NH-8.
6. The completed projects include 11 districts of Rajasthan: Kota, Rajsamand, Udaipur, Bhilwara, Pali, Nagaur, Barmer, Sikar, Churu, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer whereas, the awarded projects for which the PM will perform bhoomi pujan are expected to benefit people in Jodhpur, Pali, Ajmer, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Udaipur and Dungarpur.
Future plans in transport sector in Rajasthan:
- Centre plans to spend around Rs2 trillion in the next five years for building national highways in Rajasthan.
- Rajasthan had just 7,498km of national highways till June 2014 but the centre had managed to double this figure to 14,465km in just three years, he added.
- A 195-km greenfield expressway will come up between Delhi and Jaipur. This will start from Kherki Daula in Gurgaon, connect with Dwarka Expressway, then, going via Pataudi, it will connect with NH-8 at Chandwaji near Jaipur. There will also be a new railway line from Jaisalmer to Kandla.
These highways will help farmers, boost tourism and open up economic opportunities for the local people. They would not only help link Rajasthan more efficiently but also be gateways to progress.
Critism by Ashok Gehlot:
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and senior Congressman Ashok Gehlot took to social media to hit out at PM Modi for not visiting Rajasthan during the recent floods to take stock of the situation. Gehlot also claimed that the projects launched today by PM Modi were started by the previous Congress regime.
