Rajnath, Gadkari in Andamans to lay foundation of various projects

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Road, Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari are on a two-day visit to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where they will lay foundation for various National Highways and Shipping projects worth Rs 1,321 crore.

According to a government statement, the highways projects include construction of 26 km of national highways (NH) between Beodnabad and Ferrargunj at a cost of Rs 170 crore and 56 km of NH between Austin Creek and Kalra Junction at a cost of Rs 410 crore.

"In addition, foundation stone will be laid for construction of Middle Strait Creek Bridge and Humphrey Strait Creek Bridge at estimated cost of Rs 262.97 crore and Rs 277.17 crore respectively," said the statement.

As part of the shipping projects, an alternate sea route to Baratang Island will be launched.

"The project has been completed at a cost of Rs 45.16 crore and aims to improve connectivity of the island from Port Blair, reduce traffic on the route which passes through the Jarawa Tribal Reserve, thus promoting tourism without disturbing the tribal areas," it said.

The Ministers will also lay the foundation stone for extension of the wharf in Hope Town, Port Blair by 200 metres at an expenditure of Rs 17.49 crore.

The wharf is used by Indian Oil Corporation for discharging liquefied petroleum gas and other petroleum products. The extension of jetty would allow berthing of bigger vessels of upto 160 metre length and higher capacity.

"This will help in increasing availability of LPG cylinders in the area while reducing logistic costs.

"In addition to this, foundation stone will also be laid for construction of additional approach jetty, extension of berthing jetty and dredging in front of jetty, Neil Island at a cost of Rs 38.19 crore and extension of existing New Dry Dock - II, in Port Blair at a cost of Rs 96.24 crore," said the statement.

--IANS

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