The Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said that his ministry will coordinate with other ministries like Environment and Forests, Tourism, Power and Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation for development of transport and tourism along the river Ganga.
He said secretaries of these ministries could jointly workout mechanism for the purpose, and added that his Ministry will endeavour for speedy implementation of projects both in the roads and shipping sectors with no tolerance for delay.
Briefing media after discussions with the senior officers of his ministry, Gadkari said all projects will be approved in a fully transparent manner through e-governance mechanism.
"The possibility of bringing E-85 engines, presently used in some of the western countries for vehicles, to our country will be explored. They use 85% of ethanol and 15% petrol. Ethanol which is a by-product that comes from sugar mills and also treatment of waste material will help in increase of employment in the country," said Gadkari.
Gadkari also said that his ministry officials have been asked to look into the capital and maintenance costs of concrete roads vis-a-vis tar laid roads. He said that international standards and technologies are sought to be adopted for all areas of improvement in his ministry. The Minister also laid emphasis on usage of inland waterways and coastal shipping for cheaper and environmental friendly transport.
He said vehicles manufactured in Delhi can be transported through coastal shipping from Gujarat to Chennai and vehicles that are manufactured in Chennai can be brought to Northern region through the same route back. His ministry will look in to possibilities for enhancing the coastal shipping from seven to 20 percent.
Gadkari had earlier taken charge of the ministry and had called on the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
He also later visited L.K. Advani and the subject of developing inland waterways in Ganga came up for discussion during the meeting.
