THE GOAN NETWORK
PONDA: Extolling the achievements of the central government, Union Minister of State for Transport and Highways Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday said Goa was also progressing along with the nation.
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the new Khandepar bridge on Saturday evening, Mandaviya also stressed on infrastructure development as necessity for the progress of any nation.
Those present at the function included PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar, Union AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, Sanvordem MLA Deepak Pauskar, Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar, South Goa MP Adv. Narendra Sawaikar, Chief Secretary Dharmendra Sharma and others.
“The NDA government has a target of constructing 1 lakh kilometres of highway, while 1,000 aircraft will be added to India's aviation sector by private aviation companies,” said the union minister.
Stating there is diversity in India, Mandaviya said Prime Minister Narendra Modi knew how to encash on this diversity as he knew the potentials of various states.
"Infrastructure development is important for the progress of any nation. Prime Minister Modi is working on this and good changes will be seen in the nation," he said.
Comparing development works during the earlier Congress-led central governments, Mandaviya said barely 92,000 kms of highways were constructed in the last 68 years.
“However, the NDA government has completed 40,000 kms of national highway and over 53,000 kms of highways will be added.”
"We have a target of 1 lakh kms for eight years. We could achieve this in good pace only because we eradicated corruption,” Mandaviya said.
Speaking on the aviation sector, Mandaviya said only 67 airports were built in the last 68 years. “But the NDA government has constructed 33 new airports in the last four-and-half years alone.”
"Rail, road and airport connectivity is needed to achieve progress. Earlier, there were only 450 aircraft, but the number has increased now and over 1,000 aircraft will soon be added by private aviation companies."
Stating that air and road connectivity is very important especially for tourist destinations, the union minister added: "Goa is also progressing along with nation. This government has stressed on development and progress."
Union AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik said a good road network would help the state and country achieve development and progress.
"Public support and cooperation helps to usher in projects,” he said.
PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar said the new Khandepar bridge could be constructed due to support from the Centre and added the local concerns were being taken into account while undertaking development projects.
"While undertaking development works, we take maximum care to ensure that they do not affect the houses of people. I am happy that the new year will be the 'parivartan' of Goa," he said.
Tendulkar, Sawaikar and Pauskar also spoke on the occasion.
