Thane: Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said that all roads in the country would be turned into cement-concrete to ensure its stability and durability.
“In Mumbai, cement roads built 20 years ago are still in good shape, but some political leaders, bureaucrats and contractors do not want such roads being built in Mumbai,” Gadkari said last night at an event in Vashi Neighbor Mumbai.
“These people feel that the paved roads should be made and the bumps should come out on them from time to time,” he said. “All the roads of the country would become cement concrete and I guarantee that they will last 200 years,” he added.
The minister was speaking while opening ‘Prawaas 2017’ – India International Bus and Car Travel Show ‘.
The views of Gadkari, a former minister of the Maharashtra Public Works Department, appear in the backdrop of the public outcry over the poor roads in Mumbai and its suburbs.
Recently, popular radio jockey Malishka Mendonsa incurred the wrath of the Shiv Sena, who controls the civic corps of Mumbai, for a satirical song on pothole roads set in Mumbai.
Gadkari also expressed confidence that the motor bill would be approved in Parliament. The Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill 2017, approved by Lok Sabha last year, has not yet been approved by the Rajya Sabha.
The bill is aimed at significantly increasing the fine for traffic offenses, which provides for compensation of Rs 5 lakh for serious injuries and the repression of false licenses and vehicle thefts.
Gadkari said some states fear that the Center will take power if the legislation was passed, but there was no basis for such apprehensions.
According to Gadkari, the country is short of about 22 lakh drivers and therefore, 2,000 training centers are being set up to compensate for deficiency. He said cabs for truck drivers and buses must be air-conditioned, but manufacturers do not make vehicles cite the increased cost.
“When the temperature rises to 48 degrees Celsius and the drivers operate for 12 hours, this is absolutely essential to increase their capacity,” added Gadkari.
