VASCO
“While the Coast Guard is adopting various innovations, I would request it to think about sea planes. A small country like Maldives has 47 seaplanes, whereas India does not have even one,” added Gadkari. “I am planning to introduce seaplanes in the country and a Canadian company is interested in supplying us with these,” he said. “There is also a need for hovercraft and I am aware that GSL has already finalised its joint venture with a British company to make these in India.” Commenting on the road network in the country, Gadkari stated that the entire road network is 52 lakh kms in length, of which only 96,000 kms are national highways. “We have taken a decision to increase the national highways to 2 lakh kms,” said Gadkari. “Today, 40% of traffic is along 2% of the 96,000 kms and once we increase the national highways to 2 lakh kms, 80% of traffic will ply on the national highways,” the union minister said.
