'Local communities of NE region should be engaged in the road construction work'
Source: The Sangai Express / Agencies
New Delhi, July 21 2015 :
The Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways and Shipping, Nitin Gadkari said that the people of the North East States have lot of expectations and added that infrastructure development in the North Eastern region of India is of utmost importance for the socio-economic development of the people.
The local communities should be engaged in construction works which will provide avenues of employment and development to them.
He was speaking on the occasion of the Inception Day function of National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) in New Delhi yesterday.
The NHIDCL is a public sector undertaking of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and was incorporated on July 18 last year with an objective to fast pace construction of National Highways and other infrastructure in the North Eastern region and strategic areas of India.
Nitin Gadkari said that the NHIDCL has taken a challenging task and it should make all efforts to convert it into an opportunity.
The Minister also emphasized on the need to monitor the projects.
He said that transparency and fast-track decision making are essential for success.
While addressing the gathering, P Radhakrishnan, MoS for Road Transport & Highways and Shipping said that the Prime Minister has been taking a keen interest in the development of North Eastern region of the country.
He said that infrastructure development in the border areas will help in boosting cross-border trade and investment.
He also said that NHIDCL can enhance the pace of development with the help of stakeholders including local contractors and make them an important partner in the development of infrastructure.
It can also be a catalyst for employment, the MoS added.
Those who addressed the gathering also included Vijay Chhibber, Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Deepak Das Gupta, former Chairman, NHAI and Anand Kumar, Managing Director, NHIDCL.
Senior officials of Ministry of Road Transport & Highways and NHIDCL were also present at the occasion.