New Delhi: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways of India, Nitin Gadkari admonished the officials of National Highway Development Authority of India for delaying the NH development in Kerala. Gadkari reprimanded the officials in the presence of Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan, who had come to meet the former on Tuesday in New Delhi.
Gadkari gave a stern warning that the officials may have to face suspension if the delay continues. He also said that it is quite embarrassing to find a CM coming frequently with the same demands.
Pinarayi Vijayan also informed Gadkari that permission according to the agreement of the state government to bear 25 per cent of the cost of acquiring land for the national highway is also getting delayed. The minister directed the officials to move the files immediately and take action. Gadkari assured the chief minister that the Centre would give sanction to the project soon. The state has to pay Rs 5000 crore, which is 25 per cent of the Rs 21,000 crore cost.
At the same time, the decision was taken in the meeting to finalise upon the contractors to build the Kozhikode bypass. Nitin Gadkari will inaugurate the construction in December. Officials have been directed to complete the work of the tunnel soon. The minister also gave approval for the Rs 175 crore project submitted by Kerala to repair the 184 km National Highway.
