Modi has laid foundation for decade of development: Gadkari

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his first year in office, has laid the foundation for a decade of development, union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Thursday.

Speaking to the media on the achievements of the government in its first year, the minister for road transport, highways and shipping said the previous decade of the Congress-led government was riddled with scams and corruption and the new government has worked hard to undo the damage.

"Ten years of constant corruption belittled whatever little development that took place. The present government has worked hard and this one year of the Modi government should be seen as a dedicated foundation for a decade of development," Gadkari said.

Alleging that farmers were the worst hit during the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance rule between 2004-14, the minister said economic policy changes made by the new government have successfully resulted in generating lakhs of crores of rupees in revenue from sources like mines and minerals.

"This money will go a long way in creating new infrastructure for both agriculture and industrial growth of the country," he said.

Gadkari also said his ministry was trying its best to develop water transport as an alternate means of transportation.

"This will provide a new, cheaper mode of transportation and will also ensure proper flow in the country's rivers."