Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
* CM impresses upon Gadkari to open this new route for the overall economic and commercial activity in the concerned states
New Delhi, Union Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Minister Mr. Nitin Gadkaritoday apprised the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal that the Government of India (GoI) would soon declare the historic route Sri Anandpur Sahib- Talwandi Sabo- Nanded as the National highway project.
An assurance to this effect was given by Mr. Gadkari to the Chief Minister, who called on the former in his office at Transport Bhawan this afternoon.
The Chief Minister during the deliberations on this project of paramount historic and religious significance as the tenth master of Sikhs Sri Guru Gobind Singh reached Takht Sri Nanded Sahib from Sri Anandpur Sahib via Talwandi Sabo. He apprised theUnion Minister that the length of the entire route was 3080 kilometre, which passed through seven states viz. Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Mr. Badal also told the Union Minister that out of the total 3080 kilometres 1305 kilometre existing route was already four lanned and the rest 1775 kilometres road was to be four lanned to enable the lakhs of devotees to pay obeisance at these historic Sikh shrines in a hassle free manner besides other several important religious places enroute. This new route would also open many vistas for the overall economic and commercial activity in the concerned states.
The Chief Minister also requested Mr. Gadkari to accord approval to the state government for starting a Naval academy at Ropar as there was a huge scope of job opportunities in the maritime sector.
Responding to the demands raised by the Chief Minister, Mr. Gadkari assured him that his Ministry would soon issue a notification declaring this route as a national highway and the entire cost on the upgradation, realignment and construction of this prestigious national artery would be borne by the Centre. Reiterating his commitment to complete this project on top priority Mr. Gadkari told the Chief Minister that he would personally monitor the progress of this project on regular basis. He also asked the Chief Minister to immediately submit a comprehensive proposal for upcoming Naval Academy at Ropar so as to enable the DG Shipping for giving necessary clearances in this regard. Mr. Gadkari said that his Ministry would extend all sort of support and cooperation for this venture as it had a huge potential for giving job opportunities to our youth in the flagship sector of shipping globally.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Principal Secretary Mr. SK Sandhu, Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema, Secretary PWD Mr. Anurag Aggarwal and Resident Commissioner Punjab Mr. K Sivaprasad.
