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| Nath meets Montek, NHAI officials |
| BS Reporter / New Delhi Jun 04, 2009, 00:14 IST |
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Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Kamal Nath, who was known for his aggression as the trade minister in the previous United Progressive Alliance regime, today held meetings with former Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, members of the National Highways Authority of India and contractors to discuss the problems faced by them.
Next, he plans to hold parleys with state governments on issues of land acquisition and contracts. “The key issues today are with the state governments. I plan to meet the states in the next two weeks. We have to increase the pace of the projects first,” said Nath.
He advised the NHAI board to meet every 15 days, instead of the usual every two months, so that disputes are resolved quickly and projects not delayed unnecessarily.
On financing problems, he said they could only be taken up after the basic problems had been dealt with.
“Basic problems are dealt. These problems will be dealt with first and then we will address the financing woes,” Nath said.
Nath said the government would play an enabling role and talk to all concerned to expedite the completion of infrastructure projects.
“The meeting was to understand the problems coming in the way of progress. We met the people who actually build roads. The suggestion were valuable and I have assured that we will have another meet in three months,” said Nath.
“Govt must be playing an enabling role. So that our huge, ambitious project takes shape,” said Nath.
The contractors said they were satisfied with the meeting. “It was a meeting to understand the problems being faced by us. The minister discussed about various problems,” said M Murali, Director General, National Highways Builders Federation.
“This is a practical approach and we are satisfied with the meeting. But these promises are made time to time and what remains to be seen is how much does it actually convert on the ground,” added Murali.
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