The Road Transport and Highways Ministry on Wednesday asked road developers to dig farm ponds “free of cost” in drought-affected areas of the country where highway construction projects are under way.
“The Road Ministry in its area of competence will contribute to water conservation for fighting drought. NHAI (the National Highways Authority of India) will deepen ponds and lakes and will use the removed silt for road construction,” Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said.
The circular in this regard was issued on Wednesday. “Nor a single farmer will commit suicide nor will there be any water crisis,” Mr. Gadkari said at a press conference.