November 23, 2024 14:47 (IST)
Follow us:
Prime Minister Modi launches Setu Bharatam programme
New Delhi, Mar 4 (IBNS) Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Setu Bharatam programme for building bridges for safe and seamless travel on National Highways, in New Delhi, on Friday.
Speaking on the occasion he said that a good infrastructure network is vital for the growth and development of a nation and it is necessary to bring in a qualitative change and a comprehensive, integrated approach in developing infrastructure in the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Road Transport & Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari informed that the Setu Bharatam programme aims to make all National Highways free of railway level crossings by 2019. This is being done to prevent the frequent accidents and loss of lives at level crossings.
The Minister informed that 208 railway over bridges (ROB)/railway under bridges (RUB) will be built at the level crossings at a cost of Rs. 20,800 crore as part of the programme.
The details of 208 ROBs are as follows:
Andhra Pradesh – 33, Assam – 12, Bihar – 20, Chattisgarh – 5, Gujarat – 8, Haryana – 10, Himachal Pradesh – 5, Jharkhand – 11, Karnataka – 17, Kerala – 4, Madhya Pradesh -6, Maharashtra – 12, Odisha – 4, Punjab – 10, Rajasthan – 9, Tamil Nadu – 9, Utarakhand – 2, Uttar Pradesh – 9, West Bengal – 22.
Detailed project reports have already been received for 73 ROBs and of these, 64 ROBs are likely to be sanctioned with an estimated cost of Rs. 5600 crore by this financial year i.e. 2015-16.
As part of the project, about 1500 old and worn down bridges will also be improved by replacement/widening/
The Ministry has already invited bids for appointing consultancy for preparing detailed project report for this. The target is to award the consultancy work by March, 2016.
The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has also established an Indian Bridge Management System (IBMS) at the Indian Academy for Highway Engineer in Noida, U.P. The aim is to carry out conditions survey and carry out an inventory of all bridges on National Highways in India by using mobile inspection units.
This data base will be the largest of its kind and will also help in easing the movement of over-dimension and over-weight consignments on National Highways.
The ministry has appointed 11 consultancy firms for this purpose.
Till now an inventory of of 50,000 bridges has been completed.
The first cycle of the survey is expected to be completed by June 2016.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
Mahayuti routs MVA in Maharashtra, INDIA retains Jharkhand; Priyanka's triumphant poll debut Sat, Nov 23 2024
Will Devendra Fadnavis return as Maharashtra CM after BJP emerges as single largest party? Sat, Nov 23 2024
How can Mahayuti win over 200 seats? Sanjay Raut cries foul over Maharashtra mandate Sat, Nov 23 2024
Mamata Banerjee's TMC set to clean sweep West Bengal bypolls Sat, Nov 23 2024
Mahayuti set to sweep Maharashtra, JMM-Congress ahead in Jharkhand Sat, Nov 23 2024
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra takes strong lead in Wayanad by-poll Sat, Nov 23 2024
Assembly polls: NDA marches ahead in Jharkhand, Maharashtra Sat, Nov 23 2024
Indian-origin man charged in United States for conspiring to export controlled aviation components to Russia Sat, Nov 23 2024
Assembly polls: NDA takes early leads in Jharkhand, Maharashtra Sat, Nov 23 2024