NEW DELHI: Land acquisition is a major problem in road construction projects and State Governments should come out with solutions and help find a way out, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said in the Rajya Sabha on Monday.
Replying to queries during Question Hour, he said the
main problem in delay of projects was land acquisition as the
cost was very high in some states, but claimed his ministry
had saved NPAs worth 3 lakh crore during the past five years
through early implementation.
Gadkari said some state governments are now coming
forward to assure the ministry of easing land acquisition
process and bearing its cost, which is helping in early
implementation of projects.
“The main problem relates to land acquisition. Land
acquisition cost is very high and problematic. In the last
regime, we have awarded projects worth Rs 11 lakh crore.
“Land acquisition is so much that it is very difficult
for the government to bear the cost. This is the time for the
state government that we should find a solution,” he told the
Upper House.
Gadkari cited the example of Uttar Pradesh, where the
state government has taken responsibility for giving 50 per
cent cost for the ring road.
He said many states are coming forward, but this is a
very serious problem in Kerala, because the cost of land is
so high that it is beyond imagination.
“We want to find a solution, but state government has to
bear the cost and find a way out,” he said, adding projects
are not delayed because of land acquisition any longer now.
“There were 403 projects pending when Narendra Modi came
to power involving a cost of 3,85,000 crore. It is a great
achievement of Indian government that we saved bankers of Rs 3
lakh crore of NPAs and now 90 per cent of projects are moving
fast,” he said.
The minister said his ministry was not moving forward
with the project without 80 per cent of land acquisition and
this principle is being followed very strictly.
He said the ministry is also using best technology and
information from satellites.
The maximum problem relating to construction is due to
DPR and “we are using satellite, drones and new types of
technology for construction,” he informed members.
The minister said Bharatmala-2 project involves laying of
65000 kms, of which work on 8,000 kms has already been
awarded.
“The total cost is going upto 10 lakh crore. We are
raising money from capital market and the Finance Ministry has
not given us a single rupee for Bharatmala project,” he said.
In reply to another question, Gadkari informed that the
Mumbai-Goa Expressway Project (NH-66) will be completed
within the next one year.
Gadkari said there are problems in road construction,
sometimes it is due to banks and sometimes environment
clearance.
He said every year there are 5 lakh accidents. 1.5 lakh
people die every year in road accidents. “We are highest in
the world.”
There is a need to widen roads as traffic is increasing
by 10-12 per cent every year, he said, adding efforts are
being made to transplant trees that are uprooted.
“There are some problems. But the government has
continuously taken steps to resolve issues project-wise,” he
added.
“We start project only when 80 per cent of land is
acquired. Land acquisition is a state subject. The district
collector of a State acquires land. We are ready to pay
money,” the minister said.
Gadkari said there are number of projects in Bihar that
are stuck because 80 per cent land has not been acquired.
Contractors exit projects because of slow land
acquisition process and they claim crores in compensation
from the Centre, he said, adding there is a need to come out
from “this vicious circle”.
Gadkari said land acquisition process is very slow in
West Bengal and Bihar.
“Some say don’t cut tress, others say widen roads, how
can the country run like this,” he said, adding there is need
to maintain a balance between environment and development.
In a written reply, the minister said the Government of
India approved implementation of Bharatmala Pariyojna
Phase-I in October, 2017 with an estimated outlay of Rs.
5,35,000 Crore for development of 34,800 kms length of
National Highways (including 10,000 km residual NHDP road
works) in the entire country.
Under this programme, 13 road projects with total length
of about 506 kms and total cost Rs 12,785 crores have been
approved till March, 2019 for Andhra Pradesh.
Out of these projects, 12 nos. of road projects with
aggregate length of about 479 kms and total cost Rs. 12,187
crores have been awarded till March, 2019. Further, ring road
at Vijaywada/Amravati in Andhra Pradesh have also been
identified for development.
Under the project, he said there is a provision for
taking up such road projects on the request of States where
State Governments share at least 50 per cent of land
acquisition cost. (AGENCIES)
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