Gadkari lauds Union Budget for prioritizing need for multi modal transport hubs
Feb 04, 2017: The high priority given to the need for multi-modal transport planning across the country in the Union Budget 2017-18 has been commended by Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari. The minister welcomed the 15 percent rise in budget allocation for the Road Transport & Highways Ministry. Gadkari also highlighted the fact that in most cities, bus stations, airports, railway stations are situated far apart from each other and if they are properly integrated, a lot of traffic congestion and pollution can be reduced.
Gadkari said that his Ministry is examining the feasibility of setting up multi modal hubs where all modes of transport – air, road, rail and waterways wherever possible – are within close proximity to each other. Besides this, latest technology for electricity based Mass Rapid Transport like the metrino and hyperloop are being studied and tested.
The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways hopes to award 15000 km of highways work by the end of March 2017, said Gadkari, while commenting about the road map of his ministry. Per day construction of highways will go up to 30 km by end of March 2017 and the Ministry will strive to achieve its target of building 40 km road per day very soon.
Talking about the Shipping sector Gadkari said that Sagarmala is all set to be a game changer with its stress on port led development. The programme will create one crore jobs, including 40 lakh direct and 60 lakh indirect ones. Ports are being mechanized and modernized. The draught at ports are being deepened so that bigger ships can come in. In addition to the above, waterways are being developed in a big way. This includes 111 rivers that are to be developed as National Waterways, and coastal shipping along the country’s 7500 km of coastline. Ro-Ro services are being launched to cut down travel time and distance and cruise services are being brought in to carry both goods and passengers.
