Gujarat State Minister Evaluates Road Developments in Botad, Inspects Over 2,900 Roads
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Synopsis
Gujarat's Minister of State for Roads, Jagdish Vishwakarma, highlighted the successful execution of major road projects in Botad district. A total of 2,949 road projects were inspected as part of a government initiative to ensure quality, addressing significant lapses and enhancing infrastructure across the state.
Key Takeaways
- 2,949 road projects inspected in Gujarat.
- 50 projects failed quality tests, leading to inquiries.
- 1,929.55 kilometers of new roads approved in Botad.
- 472 new road projects since 2013.
- Significant investments in coastal roads and trade logistics.
Gandhinagar, Feb 28 (NationPress) The Minister of State for Roads and Building in Gujarat, Jagdish Vishwakarma, announced on Friday that significant road initiatives in Botad district - including the Botad-Turkha-Rangpar Road and the Kariyani-Lakhiyani-Rohishala Road - have been completed in accordance with tender specifications.
In response to concerns regarding road quality, the minister pledged that rigorous testing is performed at the Gujarat Engineering Research Institute (GERI) laboratories to evaluate the quality of materials used in roads, bridges, and buildings.
“The government is implementing strict measures wherever substandard work is identified. Between April and October 2023, state officials reviewed 2,573 road projects across Gujarat,” he stated.
He noted that during these evaluations, officials uncovered significant issues - including deteriorated road surfaces, insufficient thickness, and inferior materials.
“Consequently, 50 road projects did not pass quality assessments, leading to investigations against the engineers and officials involved. A total of 2,949 road projects were scrutinized in the fiscal year 2023-24 as part of the government's initiative to enforce quality,” he explained.
He mentioned that a specialized inspection campaign was initiated to evaluate ongoing road construction, revealing alarming results - of the 89 under-construction projects, numerous violations were found, resulting in strict actions against those accountable.
Minister Vishwakarma also indicated that major infrastructure projects such as ring roads, four-lane, and six-lane highways are authorized based on detailed traffic analysis reports.
“These reports consider vehicle density, heavy-load transport, and road usage patterns prior to finalizing project blueprints,” he stated.
The minister highlighted that in the last 12 years, 1,929.55 kilometers of new roads have been approved in Botad district.
Since 2013, 472 new road projects have been greenlit, with 363 completed.
Moreover, four new bridges have been constructed in the area, greatly enhancing connectivity and transportation ease for local residents.
Recent statistics reveal that the overall road length in Gujarat is approximately 1,04,564 kilometers, encompassing national highways, state highways, and rural roads. The National Highways (NH) network in the state spans about 6,851 kilometers, ensuring connectivity among major cities and adjacent states.
Additionally, Gujarat features 19,762 kilometers of State Highways (SH), which serve as vital arterial roads connecting districts and towns. The state also boasts an extensive network of panchayat and rural roads, altogether exceeding 78,000 kilometers, playing a crucial role in improving access to remote regions.
Over the past decade, Gujarat has substantially broadened its road infrastructure through various government programs, including the establishment of four-lane and six-lane expressways, ring roads, and flyovers.
Major initiatives, such as the Ahmedabad-Vadodara Expressway, have enhanced intra-state connectivity and decreased travel durations.
Furthermore, under the Bharatmala and Sagarmala projects, Gujarat has attracted significant investments in coastal roads and port connectivity, bolstering trade and logistics.
