Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has said road infrastructure in the country is progressing rapidly and undergoing huge change and Meghalaya will too see improvements.
Addressing election rallies at Ranikor in South West Khasi Hills district and Baghmara, the district of South Garo Hills district, close to the India-Bangladesh border, Gadkari said that roads have improved ever since the BJP government had come to power at the centre in 2014.
He said that though Meghalaya is very beautiful with rich forest wealth, mines, minerals, paddy fields, yet it has not got the desired development.
“There are places where there are schools but no teachers, places where there are teachers but no school buildings and places where there may be both but no students due to lack of road connectivity and other related issues. For a place to prosper and develop we need to encourage industry and business, which can only be achieved if we have good sources for water and power, good transport and communication facilities,” he said.
He also said that for eradication of poverty, it is absolutely essential that industry and business both grow side by side. “In the absence of good infrastructure we don’t have industry and without industry we don’t have the potential for growth and employment. Hence, the road to progress cannot be paved and eradication of poverty impossible,” he added.
Gadkari also listed a number of projects which are nearing completion and also those which are in the pipeline in Meghalaya he said, “We are equipping Meghalaya with faster, smoother, and more sustainable highways to accelerate economic and tourism activities in the state.”
Eleven out of 12 districts in the state will have connectivity to National Highways with a total length of 1617 km,” Gadkari said, promising to change the road infrastructure in the North East for the better by 2024 even as he mentioned that roads worth Rs 3 lakh crore were being built in the region.
“My appeal to the voters is to stand together for development and a bright future for Meghalaya. It’s the time to relieve the state from corruption and to bring the BJP to power under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said.
Stating that his party delivers benefits under its programmes and policies to all without any discrimination on the basis of religion, caste, creed, or gender he said, “Some people due to their vested interests want to instil fear in the minds of people. No fear need be in the minds of any citizen since Modi government is a government for all, ensuring justice for all and development for all.”
