Govt studying Rs32,800-cr Delhi-Jaipur expressway proposal: Gadkari

The central government is considering a proposal to build a new expressway connecting Delhi and Jaipur at an estimated cost of Rs32,800 crore. The proposed expressway will start from the south of Indira Gandhi Airport in Delhi and end at Daulatpura on the existing NH 8.

''We are studying the feasibility of the project for a greenfield expressway between Delhi and Jaipur. The project cost is estimated at Rs32,800 crore,'' minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari said on Thursday.

Gadkari said his ministry would be investing more than Rs50,000 crore in Rajasthan for the development of roads and roadside amenities in the next two years. The minister was speaking after an award of sanctions of road projects worth Rs25,445.27 cr by the centre to Rajasthan.

"We would invest more than Rs50,000 crore in two years in Rajasthan with special reference to roads and national highways," the minister said adding, every state should adopt transparency in system, fast track decision, vision and change in mindset.

The project would require about 2,800 hectares of land, the minister said addressing a press conference after reviewing the progress of Delhi-Jaipur Highway.

''The cost of the land acquisition will be Rs18,000 crore,'' he said

With a length of 261 km, the expressway will help reduce the distance between the national capital and Pink City, Gadkari said.

He said the long-pending project of six-laning of Gurgaon-Jaipur section of the NH 8 will also be dedicated to the public in December this year.

The highway project was to be ready in 2011 but it faced several hurdles and issues related with land acquisition, environmental clearance, shifting of utility services, litigation, banking which led to unexpected delays.

The project is going to finish with only 7 out of the total 57 structures (flyovers) being under construction.

Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje, minister of state I&B Rajyawardhan Singh Rathore and state transport and PWD minister Yoonus Khan were also present on the occasion.

Gadkari also said that the government has decided to spare 1 per cent of the cost of construction for plantation in order to increase green cover.

''We want to develop his highway as an ideal highway. The highway will be beautified with flower and other plants and it will be properly maintained,'' he noted.