From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Dec 19: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Saturday laid the foundation stone for construction of 25 National Highways and dedication of another 8 completed National Highways projects covering a total length of 1,197 kms involving a total financial outlay of Rs 10,904 crore.

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa presided over the function, in which Gadkari participated through video conferencing, Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, Union Ministers D V Sadananda Gowda, Prahlad Joshi and Gen V K Singh (retd), Deputy Chief Minister Govind M Karjol, Senior Congress leader Mallikarjuna Kharge, MP, State Ministers, MPs and MLAs participated in the function.

Yediyurappa, in his address, termed the function as an historic day and warmly complicated Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for extending financial and technical support for improvement and upgradation of National Highways in Karnataka.

“Karnataka will be benefitted in much bigger way and help to boost connectivity and economy in coming days with better highway network,’’ the Chief Minister said pointing out that good highway network is the key to flourishing economy.

As the Government is set to give thrust to economic growth beyond Bengaluru, in backward districts, enhancing the national highway network gains importance. In view of this, the State Government is keen to accelerate the highway development works in the State, he said.

The 25 highway projects at a cost of Rs 5,459 crore with a length of 552 kms for which the foundation stone was laid augurs well for the State, Yediyurappa said adding: ``These projects would certainly be a game changer. It includes 3 ring road projects which is going to help ease out traffic congestion in the city in a big way.

The sanction ceiling limit for 2020-21 has been fixed at Rs 2,619 crore under Annual Plan. Majority of the projects have been sanctioned and are under various stages of implementation. I request you to accord approval for the remaining works expeditiously.

“I am grateful to Gadkari for proposing investment of Rs 1,16,144 crore for construction of 6242 kms of roads in Karnataka,’’ the Chief Minister said urging Gadkari to expedite work on improvement of all Congested Intersections of NHs connecting Bangalore city, sanction for construction of Shiradi Ghat Tunnel bypass on Bangalore-Mangalore section and upgradation of existing 4-Lane National Highway from Bangalore to Tumkur section to 8-Lane with service road.