ANNI/UNA: "Nitin Gadkari, the Minister for Road Transport and Highways, stirred the crowd with a resolute promise to eliminate fear, hunger, terrorism, and corruption in India," declared the minister during his addresses in Una and Anni, Himachal Pradesh.
With a swipe at the Congress, he boasted, "What Congress couldn't do in 60 years, we achieved in just 10!"
Gadkari, renowned for his infrastructure initiatives, underlined the pivotal role of robust road networks in fostering agricultural and industrial development.
He reiterated the Modi government's unwavering commitment to rural upliftment, highlighting substantial investments in road, electricity, and communication infrastructure across the nation.
Specifically addressing Himachal Pradesh, Gadkari emphasized the significance of road connectivity in bolstering tourism and creating employment avenues.
He proudly announced the green signal for various tunnel projects aimed at enhancing connectivity in the mountainous terrain. Notable among them are the 1-kilometer-long Jalori Pass tunnel, sanctioned at 1,000 crores, and the 3.5-kilometer-long tunnel in Kurli, estimated to cost 600 crores. Furthermore, he mentioned the ongoing construction of the Pathankot-Leh highway and the nearing completion of the Kullu-Kangra highway.
Highlighting the transformative potential of the Manali-Leh highway, which is nearing completion, Gadkari envisioned its role in enhancing connectivity and boosting tourism from Himachal Pradesh to Ladakh.
The minister delved into the government's initiatives towards sustainable energy solutions, including the production of biofuels from agricultural waste and the promotion of electric vehicles.
He envisaged a future where farmers not only feed the nation but also contribute significantly to its energy needs.
Initiatives such as stubble conversion into CNG gas in Punjab and Haryana, along with active participation in ethanol production, exemplify this vision.
Gadkari reiterated the government's steadfast dedication to uplifting rural areas, empowering farmers, and propelling India towards prosperity.
His words resonated deeply with the audience, reflecting the ongoing transformative initiatives spearheaded by the Modi government.
Highways mentioned:
1. Pathankot-Leh highway
2. Manali-Leh highway
3. Kullu-Kangra highway
4. Mumbai-Delhi Expressway
5. Surat-Nashik Green Highway
6. Nashik-Ahmednagar-Solapur-Karnul-Hyderabad-Chennai-Bangalore-Kochi-Kanyakumari-Thiruvananthapuram Highway
7. Kiratpur-Manali Highway
8. Jamnagar-Srinagar Tunnel
9. Shrinagar-Jammu Tunnel
10. Delhi-Katra Expressway
11. Katra-Jammu Tunnel
12. Katra-Amritsar Expressway
13. Delhi-Amritsar-Katra-Delhi Expressway
14. Delhi-Mumbai Expressway
15. Mumbai-Pune Expressway
16. Surat-Nashik Green Highway
17. Nashik-Ahmednagar-Solapur-Karnul-Hyderabad-Chennai-Bangalore-Kochi-Kanyakumari-Thiruvananthapuram Highwa.
These highways will increase tourism and create employment opportunities for the youth in Himachal.
The Tourists can start their journey from KanyKumari and reach Manali-Leh, he said.
