PM Modi launches Setu Bharatam project

Rs 20,000-cr project aims to make highways free of railway crossings

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched Setu Bharatam, one of his government’s most ambitious projects, to make all national highways free of railway crossings by 2019 by building rail over bridges (ROBs) and rail under bridges (RUBs).

In the first phase, the government has identified 208 bridges spread across 19 states where it intends to build ROBs or RUBs for seamless connectivity. This will not only help in avoiding congestion at national highways but also result in fuel saving. The government has earmarked Rs 20,800 crore for the project.

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Speaking on the occasion, Modi said a good infrastructure network was vital for the growth and development of a nation. He said that to satisfy the aspirations and long-felt needs of people, it was necessary to bring in a qualitative change and a comprehensive and integrated approach in developing infrastructure in the country.

Nitin Gadkari, Union minister for road transport, highways and shipping, said that the project would prevent accidents and loss of lives at railway crossings. So far, detailed project reports have already been received for 73 ROBs. Of these, 64 ROBs are likely to be sanctioned with an estimated cost of Rs 5,600 crore in this financial year.

The government is set to start work on 1,500 dilapidated, British-era bridges. These old bridges will be improved by replacement, widening, or strengthening in a phased manner at a cost of about Rs 30,000 crore.