Expressway fund created

The three-day seminar has been organised by MoST, NHAI and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Ficci. Although the first step in finding finance forthe projects seem to have been made, the first day of the conference has indicated that state government have yet to give their untwisting support.

While transport ministers from nine states, including Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala were present, none made any commitments towards the expressway projects. With the state government responsible for land acquisition, their cooperation will be critical for the success of the expressways. Regardless of the central government8217;s plans the state governments have their own agenda for road development. Ministers of some state government have asked MoST to take into account some of their needs before proceeding with the expressways through their regions.

Outlining the action plan of the NHAI, chairman Deepak Dasgupta said that the golden quadrilateral would be given the priority. High density sections had already been identified and 10 sections where there are no problems of land acquisition will be taken up first.