20-km target a long way to go: Kamal Nath

The "biggest infrastructure project" would need $500 billion in investments

trithesh

Trithesh Nandan | April 26, 2010



Stressing the need for good infrastructure in the country, Minister of Road Transport and Highways Kamal Nath said India will build 12-13 km of roads per day in the current fiscal year.

Speaking at the launch of the FICCI – E&Y infrastructure report on Monday, Kamal Nath said, "The road ahead is very long. I can say only this." He said, “if we have to build world class cars then we have to build world class roads to drive it.”

The target of 12-13 km of roads per day is little more than half of the target the minister had set when he took charge last year. In 2009, he had set a target of constructing 20 km of roads per day to speed up infrastructure development.

According to the minister, "The main aim is to lift the infrastructure growth so it is inclusive for common people."

However, he also stressed the need of public-private partnership (PPP) in the infrastructure sector. He said that the private sector is going to play a major role in the development of infrastructure of India. He added, “The government envisages 60 percent of the funding to come from the private sector.”

The minister also said India has "embarked on the biggest infrastructure'' project which would need $500 billion in investment. “It is a huge challenge, but we have embarked on it. We have to transform the country.'' Kamal Nath also agreed that there is deficit in infrastructure sector but he said that his ministry is working very hard to give a new outlook.

“During 11 months of my tenure as road and transport minister, 32 projects have been awarded compared to just eight projects in the preceding year.” It is four fold jump from the last year but by June this year it will go up to 50 projects, the minister added. Kamal nath also announced a national permit for truckers by May 5 which will enable their seamless travel across the country.

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