Centre to release funds for roads connecting 4 countries

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi looking at greater cooperation between Saarc nations, the Centre is working towards seamless road connectivity between Bhutan, Bangladesh, India and Nepal (BBIN).

In keeping with the project, the Centre is in the process of sanctioning more than Rs 25,000 crore to develop road infrastructure in West Bengal, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Wednesday.

“We want to give Rs 25,000-30,000 crore to West Bengal for new highways. We want to add another 2,000 km national highway in the state. The state has 2,000 km-long highway currently,” Gadkari said at an event at a bio-diesel dispensing unit at Haldia Dock Complex in East Midnapore district.

He said he has plans to meet Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and urge her to give suggestions and proposals for the project.

The amount proposed is in addition to the existing Rs 6,000 crore road development proposals for the state announced in December. The proposal comes in wake of SAARC road connectivity plan of India, Gadkari stated. “I have already mooted a plan for seamless road connectivity between India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. 

“A Motor Vehicles Agreement signed on behalf of India, will enable seamless movement of people and goods across borders for economic benefit of the entire region,” he said. 

The minister, who launched a vessel traffic management system at Haldia dock, also handed over land to set up a multi-modal hub for inland waterways at the dock.