Nitin Gadkari Reviews National Highway Projects In Karnataka, Kerala

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari reviewed the quality and maintenance progress of National Highway projects in Karnataka and Kerala, acting on feedback received through media and social media.

The review meeting was held in New Delhi with Union Ministers of State Shri Harsh Malhotra and Shri Ajay Tamta, along with officials from National Highways Authority of India, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and project contractors.

During the meeting, Shri Nitin Gadkari reviewed the quality and maintenance progress of 7,926 km of National Highways in Karnataka and 1,513 km across 61 National Highway projects in Kerala.

Shri Nitin Gadkari emphasised the importance of timely execution of works, adherence to strict quality standards, and adoption of advanced technologies to ensure sustainable and efficient highway infrastructure. He also stressed the need to accelerate on-ground works, strengthen quality monitoring systems, and adopt modern construction practices to enhance asset longevity, improve riding quality, and ensure seamless connectivity across key highway corridors.

The Union Minister issued strict directions to officials to ensure full preparedness ahead of the monsoon season. He highlighted the importance of preventive measures and robust response systems to maintain road safety, structural durability, and uninterrupted traffic movement across the highway network.

Shri Nitin Gadkari also instructed officials to undertake advance planning for the monsoon season, including comprehensive drainage management, slope protection measures, and establishment of quick-response mechanisms to minimise disruptions and ensure commuter safety.

 

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After Sushma Swaraj, Jaitley now goes under knife for kidney transplant

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s health has become a cause of national concern as the second-in-command in Modi’s government is all set to undergo a kidney transplant surgery at the AIIMS on Saturday, April 7.

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), which has apologized for its mistaken dialysis on a patient last week, said it has formed a special team under doctor V.K. Bansal to carry out the surgery on Jaitley and Sandeep Guleria, a specialist from Apollo Hospitals has also been roped in.

The new state-of-art Cardio-Neuro Tower in the AIIMS will be the place for today’s operation and it may be recalled that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj too underwent her kidney transplant here in December 2016.

Jaitley had tweeted on Thursday: “I am being treated for kidney related problems and certain infections that I have contracted. I am therefore currently working from controlled environment at home. The future course of my treatment would be determined by the doctors treating me.”

Congress President Rahul Gandhi, in his tweet wished the leader early recovery. “I’m truly sorry to hear this @arunjaitley ji. I pray for your speedy recovery,” he tweeted. Jaitley, 65, had earlier been operated upon for a gastric bypass in 2015 to loose weight after Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari underwent similar surgery.

Jaitley, who visited Singapore recently, had to cancel his other international trips, including his next week’s visit to London for the annual economic dialogue. Currently, he has cancelled all major appearances in the public and is working from home.

Since the recovery will take at least three months, the finance ministry will essentially be run by finance secretary Hasmukh Adhia with the PMO overseeing its function. Adhia, a Gujarat cadre IAS official and a long-time confidante of PM Narendra Modi, will report to him for the next three months. His retirement by end of this year, is likely to be given an extension, said The Wired quoting sources familiar with the developments.

Jaitley’s absence when Karnataka elections are being held next month may keep Modi tied to Delhi but PM is not likely to allot the ministry to other BJP leaders in view of its key role in implementing the welfare programs ahead of the 2019 elections.

 

First batch of 1000 E-rickshaws ‘SmartE’ flagged off in Gurugram Today

‘SmartE’ will provide last mile transport connectivity to Metro commuters.

Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation flagged off a fleet of first batch of 1000 E-rickshaws from Huda City Centre metro station in Gurugram today. Speaking on this occasion Shri Gadkari said that the E-rickshaw fleet will not only provide cost effective and pollution free substitute in transport system of Gurugram, but will also generate employment opportunities for marginalised youth. He further said that public transport on electricity is the necessity of the country and his ministry is committed to providing it soon.

The E rickshaw fleet is being operated by Treasure Vase Ventures Private Limited in partnership of Delhi Metro, under the SmartE brand name. SmartE will provide the last mile transport connectivity in the area. The E Rickshaws have been manufactured in India and are fitted with GPS and tracking system. SmartE has established strategic partnerships with the Haryana government (HSIIDC) and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to launch 1000 vehicles in Gurugram and Faridabad in 2017. The E-rickshaws SmartE will provide meaningful self-employment for over 1,00,000 marginalised youths, in next 4-5 years.

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India Seeks Belgium Cooperation in Sagarmala Project

India’s Minister of Shipping and Road Transport & Highways Mr. Nitin Gadkari on Monday 7th Feb, 2017, met the Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium Mr. Alexander De Croo, in Mumbai to seek greater participation of Belgian companies in Sagarmala projects, inland waterways and development of industrial clusters.

The minister explained the immense opportunities in India in coastal shipping, inland water transport, cruise, new port development, smart-port industrial city and development of green ports and urged the Belgian delegation to strengthen the cooperation that already exists between the two countries in the maritime sector.

Earlier, Belgium helped India in setting up the JNPT Antwerp Port Training Centre, which is now functioning well. The Belgium Deputy PM assured that Belgium would extend full cooperation for the development of the maritime sector in India. He said that these issues can be discussed in detail in the forthcoming Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union (BLEU) meeting to be held in May 2017. Another Belgian delegation is scheduled to visit India in November 2017.

The Mumbai meeting was attended by Mr. Ravindra Agrawal, Joint Secretary for Sagarmala in the Ministry of Shipping, Mr. Neeraj Bansal, Chairman In-charge of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust.