Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh): Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation stones of 11 road projects with a cumulative length of 534 km during a function organised at Makodiaam area here on Thursday afternoon. These projects will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 5,722 crore and will greatly boost the overall development of the Malwa region.
These projects are expected to benefit the entire Malwa-Nimar region, providing easy and safe transport for pilgrims and tourists, in turn saving time and fuel costs as well. It will also lead to increased employment opportunities with the development of the Ujjain-Dewas Industrial Corridor.
Speaking on the occasion Nitin Gadkari announced that Ujjain-Jhalawad Road would be 4-lane up to 50 km from Ujjain and the Jaora road would be upgraded.
He said, my ministry is ready to construct a flyover, airbus, ropeway and make bus ports that are similar to airports He announced that a 30-40 seater airbus would be launched in Ujjain for people wanting to go for a darshan at the Mahakaleshwar Temple.
He added that the Ujjain-Dewas Road would be fully four-lane and Rs 3,000 crore would be spent on constructing ROB in MP. He said the Narmada Express Way would be executed after extensive discussion and that the Delhi-Mumbai Road would go through Ujjain which will reduce the time to travel from Ujjain to Delhi to 6 hours and for Mumbai to 8 hours. If the MP government provides sufficient land then a logistic park would be developed on either side of the said road, the minister added.
CM Chouhan said that the projects launched today will pave the way for the all-round development of Malwa region. He said, there will be an exemplary show in Ujjain on March 1 on account of Mahashivratri as 11 lakh diyaas will be lit. He praised Gadkari as a very generous leader who gives more than double the demand. A leader should be like that who gives and does not argue that he doesn’t have money. Talking about the changes in MP the CM said, before 2003 we used to urge the Union Government to denotify national highways in the State. Now we are making more and more NHs. He demanded the launch of a mass rapid transport air bus in Ujjain so that people can directly reach Mahakaleshwar Temple through cable car. He also suggested that Ujjain and other cities should be encouraged to use new-age technologies to ease traffic woes and sought sanctioning of the Narmada Express Way between Amarkantak and Alirajpur.
Gadkari reached the holy city on Thursday Afternoon, late by one and half hours from his scheduled time. Thereafter, he went straight to Makodiya Aam Square to attend the foundation stone laying programme after worshiping at Mahakaleshwar temple.
The event was presided over by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and was attended by a host of dignitaries including Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Dr VK Singh, Minister of PWD Gopal Bhargava, Minister of MSME Om Prakash Saklecha, Minister of Higher Education Mohan Yadav, Minister of Environment Hardeep Singh Dung, former Speaker of Lok Sabha Sumitra Mahajan, former Union minister Satya Narayan Jatiya, Ujjain MP Anil Firojiya, and Mandsaur MP Sudhir Gupta among other dignitaries.
NHAI officials brief the Union minister and CM about the connectivity of roads after completion of the projects in Malwa region. | FP Photo
The 11 road projects which were launched on Thursday
Ujjain-Dewas four-lane widening project costing Rs 842 crore
Ujjain-Jhalawar two-lane paved shoulder project costing Rs 498 crore
Ujjain-Badnawar four-lane widening project costing Rs 1352 crore
Jirapur-Susner (up to MP state border) 2-lane road with paved shoulder project costing Rs 240 crore
Chandesari to Khedakhajuria (Ujjain-Garoth-I) 4-lane road project costing Rs 910 crore
Khedakhajuria to Suhagadi (Ujjain-Garoth-II) 4-lane road project costing Rs 876 crore
Suhagadi to Baradia Amra (Ujjain-Garoth-III) 4-lane road project costing Rs 823 crore
Javsiapanth to Fatehabad Chandravatiganj road project costing Rs 42 crore
Bahi-Balaguda-Ambav-Kanghatti-Ugran road project costing Rs 26 crore
Barotha-Semalya Chow road project costing Rs 36 crore Bhadwamata Sarwaniya Maharaj-Javad- Athana-Dhani-Saroda-Chadhaul road project costing Rs 77 crore.
Nitin Gadkari says something in lighter vein to Ujjain MP Anil Firojia. | FP PHOTOS
Gadkari suggests Ujjain MP reduce his weight, promises Rs 1000 cr per 1 kg weight loss
In his speech, Minister Nitin Gadkari said he himself has reduced his weight from 123 kg to below 100 kg and if Ujjain MP Anil Firojia reduced his weight he would provide Rs 1000 crore to Ujjain per 1 kg weight loss by the MP. During the function, minister Mohan Yadav was seen eager to secure a seat near the CM, but he was asked to on the third seat from the CM’s chair. Out of 4 Congress MLAs of the district, only Murli Morwal turned up at the venue. His son Karan Morwal is facing a rape charge. During the programme, Morwal was seen seeking some favour from the CM which gave rise to various speculations.
