Gadkari launches 7 national highway works in Chhattisgarh

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkaritoday laid foundation stones of 342 km-long seven national highway projects worth Rs 3,000 crore in Simga tehsil here.
"Road projects worth Rs 40,000 crore had been sanctioned for Chhattisgarh by my ministry. The projects will go full steam ahead in another 18 months," Gadkari said after the Bhoomipujan ceremonies for the projects.
"This includes 1,285 kms of national highways and 40 bridges on Shivnath and Hasdeo rivers," he said.
Gadkari also said that the authorities are concerned over the rising number of road accidents across the country.
About 1.5 lakh people died in road accidents in the last one year and three lakh persons suffered disability. The authorities are concentrating on the accident-prone points for taking preventive measures, he said.

As many as 726 dangerous spots have been located in the country and Rs 11,000 crore have been allocated for preventive measures, he said, adding the target was to reduce the road accidents by 50 per cent.
Talking about river transport development, the Union Minister said a waterway can be developed along Mahanadi in the state.