From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Sep 8: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari emphasized on collaboration amongst all stake holders for qualitative reforms.

Inaugurating the 2-day National Conference 'MANTHAN - Idea to Action,' in Bengaluru on Thursday, he said: “We should overcome differences and not think in silos.’’

Gadkari said all the stake-holders should understand each other’s issues and with mutual consent focus on planning futuristic policies so that the country’s transport is run on the fuel made in India only.

The Minister emphasized on qualitative contribution and vision for creating new things for making India the foremost developed country.

Gadkari underscored the importance of an integrated approach with multi-modal transportation being at the core if India has to become a five trillion dollar economy.

He said 90 per cent of passenger traffic and 70 per cent of goods traffic used roads, and there is a need for an integrated approach where waterways, railways and airports are interlinked, and logistics parks would play a critical role.

“If the state governments provide land, the Ministry of Road Transport will facilitate in construction of logistics parks. He added that the construction cost has to reduce while the quality of construction has to improve substantially,’’ he said.

An integrated approach is essential to reduce logistics costs from 16 per cent to 10 per cent (China is at 10 per cent, Europe at 12 per cent).

Giving the example of how bus-ports can be centres of growth, the Minister said it is imperative to link different modes of transportation while improving road infrastructure through the infusion of new technologies and modern equipment and materials.

Citing how 750 km in his constituency is free of potholes, he said bitumen and cement topping are ways to ensure its longevity. The Mumbai Municipal Corporation is working on fully cemented roads with an investment of about Rs. 6,000 crore. The initial cost may be high, but it will be maintenance-free for 25 years. He cited how the cost of the 14.2 km Zoji La Tunnel has been reduced by nearly Rs. 5,000 crore through pre-cast materials and modern tunneling equipment.

Tree Bank Project

Talking about a sustainable approach, Gadkari said the Ministry, along with the Ministry of Environment and Forests, has come up with a ‘Tree Bank’ project wherein the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will be planting trees along the highways, thus expanding the green coverage

The Ministry has bought over 80 lakh trees, and this should help the environment with the trees absorbing carbon dioxide. As a result, India’s ranking in green coverage has already gone up.

Calling for collaboration between States and the Centre, the Minister said only six states had signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the Rs. 16,000 crore remotely operated vehicles project. The States need to take ownership as it will ultimately benefit them.

The Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways, General V KSingh referred to the considerable progress made in the road transport sector and said National Highways had increased from 91,000 km in 2008 to 1,41,000 km, and the pace of construction had improved from 12 km a day to 37 km now due to enhanced design capabilities, use of modern equipment etc.

"State Governments have a huge stake in the development of the transport sector, and with their cooperation, India can surpass developed countries.

Separate Authority for Bengaluru Traffic Congestion Management

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has promised to create a separate authority for management of Bengaluru Traffic Congestion and said a legislation for the purpose will be introduced in the forthcoming legislature session.

Speaking to media persons in Bengaluru after participating in the 41st round Manthan programme on the road transport system in the country held under the Chairmanship of Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday, he said several agencies like the National Highway Authority of India, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, Bengaluru Development Authority, Bengaluru Metropolitan Regional Development Authority as well as the Public Works Department have been carrying out road works in and around the city.

"If a comprehensive master plan involving all the agencies involved in road development works is prepared, it will be easy to solve most of the problems,’’ he said and pointed out that the proposed Authority for Management of Bengaluru Traffic Congestion would also involve the Railways and Metro Rail Services.

The Chief Minister said the State Government has sought Central cooperation and collaboration in managing the Bengaluru roads and the traffic congestion.

Baiyappanahalli Railway Station has been built by adopting technology for multi-purpose pillar construction for use of Metro, Flyovers and Road utility which enables road transport management in three tiers in a single pillar. This will also help in land acquisition costs and needs, the Chief Minister said mentioning that discussions with international domain experts was going on. "We plan to prepare a suitable project,’’ he said.

Bommai said the vacant places in the junction of national highways, state highways and interior roads will be filled to ensure ease of travel. There is a proposal for a small ring road amidst the ring road, he said.

State Public Works Minister C C Patil mentioned the steps the State government took in developing state highways and also listed out the works undertaken by NHAI.

The Secretary (RT &H) Giridhar Aramane said the Ministry had resolved to reach the best in road infrastructure across the country by 2047 when India celebrates its centenary year.

It would be based on the government’s ‘Atmanirbhar’ initiative, and ‘Manthan’ is part of this consultation process.

Alka Upadhyaya, Chairperson of NHAI, said ‘Manthan’s objective is to generate new ideas and speed up the development of infrastructure works across the country.

‘Manthan’ is a platform that will deliberate and visualise the future of road transport. In addition, it will initiate collaboration between the government and the industry, she said.

Gadkari announced the winners of 10 applicants of Hackathon, each of whom would get Rs. 10 lakhs each and support for the development of apps that would transform the road transport sector.