Parrikar likens Gadkari with Sehwag's swashbuckling style

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday likened union Minister Nitin Gadkari to former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag, for his dashing and effective style of governance.

He said in the five year term (of the NDA regime), if Goa government approaches it properly they can get Rs.15,000 to Rs.20,000 crore development projects from the Centre.

"When one wants to score, then fast hitters like Sehwag or others like him are sent, therefore we went to Nitin ji first. We were sure that we would immediately get support," Parrikar said.

Sehwag, who retired recently was regarded as one of the most attacking openers in international cricket, known for his signature swashbuckling style.

Parrikar, a former Goa chief minister, was speaking at a function organised by the union ministry for Road Transport, National Highways and Shipping, where Gadkari launched road infrastructure projects worth Rs.3,500 crore on Friday.

Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said financially speaking this was the biggest batch of central government projects ever allotted to Goa in the history of the state.

The projects include an eight-laned cable stayed bridge along the Zuari river, construction of two National Highway bypasses and a construction of national highway link.

Minister for Road Transport, National Highways and Shipping Gadkari, while speaking on the occasion announced additional projects worth Rs.7,000 crore more, the most important of which includes widening of the National Highway 17 from Patradevi in North Goa to Pollem in South Goa.

The project has been in limbo over issues related to finances and relocation of houses located in close vicinity of the National Highway which links Goa to Mumbai.