8-laning of B’luru-Pune highway soon: Nitin Gadkari

Bengaluru: The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) will soon begin construction of an eight- lane expressway between Pune and Bengaluru, according to  Union Surface Transport Minister, Nitin Gadkari.

Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, he said the  Centre and state had in-principle cleared the project, which was very important for both Maharashtra and Karnataka. After the formalities were completed, the land acquisition process would begin, he assured.

While both the Centre and state had given their consent for highway projects costing over one lakh crore in Karnataka, so far 80 per cent of these projects had been completed by the NHAI, he said.

“The Centre had requested the state government to bear 50 per cent of the cost of the peripheral ring road around Bengaluru. But the Chief Minister has agreed to bear 25 per cent of the cost and the NHAI will bear the remaining 75 per cent,” Mr Gadkari added.

The Union minister accepted Deputy Chief Minister, Govind Karajol’s request to upgrade the road between Hubballi and Sollapur to a four -lane to accommodate the increased traffic and asked directed the officials concerned to prepare the neccessary proposal and start acquiring land for the project.

Congratulating Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa for the BJP’s victory in the recent byelections in Karnataka, Mr Gadkari claimed  the people had voted for the good work of the BJP government.

“The BJP victory will ensure a stable and good government in Karnataka,” he added.