File Photo: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari
Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari today stressed on developing waterways in the country, saying it is a much cheaper mode of transportation as compared to other means such as road and rail.
"A bill for launching water transport in 101 rivers, covering 82,000 kms, is pending before the Parliament... It will be started within five years."
"Water transport system is much cheaper than road or any other mode of transport... People would certainly use it for their benefit," he said during an event in Lucknow.
Mr Gadkari said the much-awaited 1620-km Haldia-Varanasi waterways would be opened next year and added that water ports would also be constructed in a big way.
"Within six months, India will be witnessing launching of a sea plane while a sea bus would be seen in Mumbai in next three months," he said.
Stating that an investment of Rs 3.8 lakh crore in 281 road projects would increase the road network from present 96,000 kms to 1.5 lakh kms, he said it will help his ministry to add two per cent to the country's GDP.
At present, 14 km of highway is being constructed per day across the country which will go up to 25 km per day by March 2016, he said.
On dealing with environment hazards due to the new road projects, the minister said Rs 5,000 crore has been earmarked for plantation drive.
Mr Gadkari ruled out abolition of tolls on the highways, saying that in six months all the toll plazas would be converted into e-tolls.
"We have sent a proposal to the PMO for rationalization of toll booths so that commuters don't feel harassed," the transport minister said.
Mr Gadkari said the government has also proposed a Rs 25,000 crore bridge connecting Rameshwaram and Sri Lanka.
Replying to a question on "bad condition" of national highways in Uttar Pradesh, the Union Minister said he was personally monitoring the projects in the state and everything would be sorted out soon.