Nitin Gadkari Stresses Land Acquisition as Major Hurdle in Highway Construction

Union Minister Warns of No New Highway Projects Without 100% Land Acquisition

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has expressed concerns over land acquisition as a major hurdle in highway construction, emphasizing that no new national highway project should be approved without 100% land acquisition.

Speaking at the 17th CIDC Vishwakarma Awards & Exhibitions on Viksit Bharat 2047, Gadkari highlighted the challenges faced by the Highways ministry in highway projects, including land acquisition, forest and environment clearance.

• Land acquisition remains a significant problem in highways projects.
• Forest and environment clearance also pose major challenges in highway construction.

Gadkari has made it mandatory for the Highways ministry to acquire at least 90% of the land before starting new national highway projects. However, he now believes that 100% land acquisition should be a prerequisite for giving an appointed date for new national highway projects.

An appointed date is a formal start date for highway projects, indicating that land acquisition and clearances are sufficiently in place for construction to begin.

Gadkari Blames Consultants for Poor Quality of Highways

Nitin Gadkari has reiterated that consultants responsible for preparing detailed project reports (DPRs) for highway construction are the real culprits behind the poor quality of highways.

• Consultants are responsible for preparing comprehensive blueprints for road construction projects.
• The quality of highways has been compromised due to the poor preparation of DPRs.

Gadkari has suggested that retired NHAI officials should utilize their skills and start firms to prepare DPRs, thereby improving the quality of highways.

Minister Stresses on Decreasing Construction Costs

Nitin Gadkari has emphasized the potential of the construction industry and urged it to work towards decreasing the cost of construction without compromising on quality.

• The construction industry has immense potential for growth.
• Decreasing construction costs without compromising on quality is essential for the industry's growth.

Gadkari has also highlighted that the Highways ministry has highway assets worth Rs 15 lakh crore that can be monetized.

• No new national highway project will be approved without 100% land acquisition.
• Consultants responsible for preparing DPRs are the real culprits behind the poor quality of highways.
• Retired NHAI officials can utilize their skills to improve the quality of highways.
• The construction industry should work towards decreasing construction costs without compromising on quality.