The Hindu Business Line : Priority for development of rural roads and highways, says PM

THE country needs world class physical and social infrastructure to achieve a growth target of 7-8 per cent over the next decade, and the highest priority has been given to the development of both national highways and rural roads, said the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, while laying the foundation for the four-laning of the Salem-Madurai (Samayanallur) Section of NH 7, here.

He said the Bharat Nirman programme has been launched to provide basic facilities to every village in four years.

Improved connectivity will help create new possibilities for boosting economic growth, employment generation and poverty reduction. Highest priority has been accorded to the development of both the national highways and rural roads.

National highways across the country are being made into four- and six-lane roads. Service roads, wayside amenities, space for trucks to park and bus stops are also being developed.

An ambitious programme of Rs 1,70,000 crore has been implemented for the expansion and improvement of the road network under public-private partnership.

In the last one year, contracts for nearly 5,500 km of new roads have been awarded. This is the highest since the start of the National Highways Development Project.

Complimenting the Union Minister for Shipping and Road Transport and Highways, Mr T.R.Baalu, for the quick execution of the projects, Dr Singh said that Tamil Nadu has been a major beneficiary of the programme.

Out of 4,200 km of national highways in the State, 3,250 km have been approved for four-laning. On completion, these projects will boost the State's economy, said Dr Singh.

The Prime Minister said he was happy to note the inclusion of Dindugal district in the programme under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act that has been implemented to ensure that no one willing to work would go hungry.

The removal of CENVAT on cotton textiles will help the weavers of the State immensely, he said.

Assuring to accord due attention to the linking of rivers to mitigate the problem of farmers in the State, Dr.Singh said, "We have not forgotten this important project."

The 259-km project implemented at a cost of Rs 1,438 crore will be completed by December 2008, according to Mr L.K. Joshi, Union Secretary, Road Transport.