Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said land acquisition was a blessing in disguise for farmers.
Mr. Gadkari said that with increased compensation for land, the response of farmers towards giving their lands for various projects would also change. “It is nothing but beneficial to farmers as prices of the land will increase everywhere. Land acquisition is a blessing in disguise for them,” he said in Mumbai.
“I must say this with our experience from Nagpur where the coal production has increased in this year after land was acquired to which farmers were paid good amount,” said Mr. Gadkari. Mr. Gadkari’s comments come at a time when the Opposition has united against the Land Acquisition Bill. The government re-promulgated the ordinance for the third time on Saturday, as it is finding it difficult to form a consensus among parties to pass the Bill.
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Listing out the achievements of his ministry in past one year, Mr. Gadkari told a press conference that his aim of building roads worth Rs. 5 lakh crore in next five years would be achieved at any cost.
The Minister said he had already signed on projects worth Rs. one lakh crore.
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“The private players were not ready to participate in PPP model as they lost trust in the previous government. However we have introduced the hybrid model where we will share risk with them,” he said. The government will share 40 per cent of the cost while the rest will be contributed by private players.
Mr. Gadkari said he was not dependent on Finance Ministry for money. “We know how to raise funds,” he said.
Commenting on the proposed Road Safety Bill, Mr. Gadkari said the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) had given two suggestions on which States would be consulted. “Final draft will be discussed with the States and then will be presented in Parliament,” he said.
Water transportOn inland water ways, he said the Ministry had identified five major rivers, including the Ganga, for development. “The water transport in India’s economy is merely 3.3 per cent, which needs to be increased,” he said.
The Ministry is also opening 1000 islands and 300 lighthouses across the country, which will be developed for tourism.