Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation for a number of projects worth Rs. 2,042 crores in Sagar Taluk of Shivamogga District in Karnataka today.

Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New & Renewable Energy Shri Pralhad Joshi, Members of Parliament B.V. Raghavendra, Kota Srinivas Pujari, Captain Brijesh Chota were also present in the event. Earlier in the day, the Minister inaugurated the newly constructed cable-stayed bridge between Ambaragodlu – Kasaravalli areas of Sagar Taluk. This cable-stayed bridge spans 6.18 kms long and cost Rs. 472.08 crores to be built.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari said that some of the best national highways are being laid in Karnataka. About 9 thousand kilometres of national highway have been laid out in the state so far. The minister said that as of now, projects of worth Rs. 3 lakh crores are in progress at different stages and it has been decided that projects of worth Rs. 5 lakh crores and schemes will be taken up over the next 5 years.The Union Minister also said that national highway connectivity is being extended to aspirational districts. New roads are being constructed along with other beneficial schemes for the development of Karnataka. Connectivity to Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu via Delhi to Mumbai national highway is also on the cards.

Many national highways are being established throughout the country to seamlessly connect one state with another. Tunnel projects like Atal Tunnel is one of the ways of achieving such connectivity. Four lane highway is being constructed between Hasan-Raichur. It is estimated to be completed by December this year which will help to reduce the travelling time. Bengaluru-Chennai highway is also near its completion and will be opened for the public in the next 6 months.

The Union Minister also said that the highway between Hubballi-Dharwad is also in progress with 70% completion and will be completed by next March. This will reduce the journey time between both the places by 15 minutes. Mysuru-Madikeri highway and Shiradi Ghat road constructions are well in progress, the minister said. Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi said that highway connectivity throughout the nation is being strengthened. The minister remarked that travel time between Ambaragodlu and Kasaravalli will be significantly reduced due to the new cable-stayed bridge. He stated that the bridge should be named after goddess Chowdeshwari as Mother Chowdeshwari Bridge.

The minister further stated that over the last ten years, about 50 thousand kilometres long highways have been constructed. Earlier only 7 to 8 kms of highway were being constructed on daily basis. However, under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, 34 kms of highway is being laid out daily, the minister said. Through the Bharat Mala project, good national highways connectivity was envisioned throughout the country. In this, Karnataka is also being given high priority, he said.

 

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SGR/MM/PRD

(Release ID: 2144607)