New Delhi: While blaming bottlenecks in acquiring land, Union minister for surface transport Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday told the Lok Sabha that there is a need to amend the Land Acquisition Act in a way that infrastructure development works are expedited without compromising the norms of comensation and rehabilitation under the law.
He also informed that his ministry would not take up any road project until 80 per cent land is acquired. Mr Gadkari said that a number of chief ministers have asked him to look into the Land Acquisition Act, which has made it tough to acquire land. However, he added, the amendment in the law would not be at the expense of the stakeholders.
The minister, while replying to discussion on grants to the ministry of surface transport, claimed that projects worth Rs 1,80,000 crore is stuck in 189 road projects. He also informed the House that his ministry has decided to opt for concrete roads in place of those made of bitumen.
“Concrete roads will be four per cent cheaper than the bitumen and free from maintenance. We have decided that we will henceforth construct concrete roads only and try to get cement at cheaper rates,” said Mr Gadkari in the Lok Sabha.
Making an appeal to members in the House, Mr Gadkari called upon them to work with their respective state government to facilitate land acquisition and removal of encroachments.
He also informed the House that a corporation would soon be formed to look after the safety aspects on roads. He also stated that the corporation would set up road amenities, which would directly and indirectly give employment to over five lakh people.
Mr Gadkari also informed the House that his ministry would set in the necessary infrastructure to facilitate waterways for the movements of cargo.
