More than Rs 7 lakh cr for state’s port, road development

Mumbai: Minister for road transport, highways and water resources, Nitin Gadkari, has announced Rs 7 lakh crore has been granted for various port-related and road development works in the state. Initially, only Rs 5 lakh crore was granted, but now the additional amount have been given for development of roads.

The announcement was made during the inauguration of new domestic cruise terminal at Ferry Wharf. The terminal will serve for the newly inaugurated Mumbai-Goa cruise service.

 “There are 115 projects under Sagarmala in Maharashtra alone and Rs 2.35 lakh crore has been granted for development of ports in the state. While around Rs 1 lakh crore have been devoted to water resources. Additionally, Rs 4.5 lakh crore have been given out for road development works out of which works of Rs 3.5 lakh crore has been already started,” said Mr Gadkari during the event.

The union minister further revealed that new water treatment plant of 3 MLD (million litres per day) has been proposed at the domestic terminal in a bid to avoid release of polluted water into the sea. “We are aiming to reduce the pollution levels, all ports will be slowly converted into electrical rather than using diesel,” added Mr Gadkari.

A garden that is proposed to be developed at the eastern seafront of around 10 acres will be built with the muck generated out of the metro work. “Since Mumbai city has been witnessing several metro projects, the muck generated from the works will be used to reclaim land for our garden project,” said Mr Gadkari.

On Saturday, Mr Gadkari along with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, education minister Vinod Tawde and several other political leaders attended the inaugural function of domestic cruise terminal. The Mumbai-Goa cruise was also sailed off after several delays.