Nagpur: Giving infrastructure development a major push, Union Surface Transport and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday laid foundation stones for six projects including the proposed Koradi Devi Mandir T-Junction Flyover at Koradi on Nagpur-Saoner National Highway 47, Pipla-Valni Subway, Flyover at Saoner Bypass in Burujwada, Saoner by-pass at Hetisurla, 4-Lane Outer Ring Road for Nagpur City from Jamtha to Fetri and 4-Lane Outer Ring Road for Nagpur City from Fetri to Jamtha.
Other dignitaries who graced the programmes include Guardian Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Ramtek MP Krupal Tumane, Rajya Sabha Members Ajay Sancheti, Dr Vikas Mahate, MLAs Sunil Kedar, Sameer Meghe, Ashish Deshmukh, Mallikarjun Reddy, Sudhir Parwe, Sudhakar Deshmukh, Krishna Khopde, Sudhakar Kohle, Dr Milind Mane, Vikas Kumbhare, MLCs Girish Vyas, Prof Anil Sole, Prakash Gajbhiye, N G Ganar, , Jogendra Kawade, Zilla Parishad President Nisha Sawarkar, and Chairperson of Saoner Nagar Parishad Vandana Dhote.
Speaking at a public meeting organized at Saoner after the foundation stone laying functions, Gadkari said that unless the economic condition of farmers improves, their working capacity would not increase. And when working capacity of farmers increases then only trade will witness a boost. If overall development of the district is achieved it will pave the way for removing poverty and unemployment, Gadkari asserted.
He further said that Karadi is being developed as world tourism spot. At the same time, Rs 100 crore proposal to transform Dhapewada-Adasa pilgrimage centre into an international tourist place has been sent to State Government and it will be approved soon. The MIHAN project will provide employment to around 50000 local youths. Currently, 28 companies are functioning and over 9000 youths have got jobs. Rs 100 crore have been sanctioned for a new coal mine at Khapa. Efforts are being made to bring a new project of Ferro Alloys. Urea and gas are being produced from coal. It will give a momentum to coal-based industries in the region. An American company is ready to invest Rs 6000 crore for producing urea from coal therefore the farmers will get urea at half the price. Efforts are also being made to bring import of fuel at zero level by 2020, the Minister stated.
Rs 3000 crore more needed for roads: Bawankule
Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said that Gadkari has so far provided Rs 27,000 crore for development works in the district. In the coming two years, Nagpur city and district will be ranked as the best ones in the country. He further said over Rs 3000 crore will be needed additionally for roads in the district and requested Gadkari to ensure the funds are available soon.
Saoner will get a facelift:
Saoner MLA Sunil Kedar expressed confidence that Saoner will get a facelift the way Gadkari is carrying out various development works. “I learnt keeping politics and development separate from Gadkari. He never mixed development with politics. Kocchi project got approved only because of Gadkari. That is why I had insisted bhoomipujan at the hands of the minister only,” Kedar disclosed.
Ramtek MP Krupal Tumane also made a short speech. The public meeting held at Nehru Market premises in Saoner was attended a large number of party workers and people.
