India to see 7,000 km of new roads by end Oct 2010: Montek

New Delhi, Nov 4 : Heralding a new phase in road development, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia today said with the clearance of hitches at the governmental level, the country would be able to see an additional 7,000 kms of roads being built up between November 2009 and October 31, 2010.

''The Inter Ministerial problems relating to building up of roads have been resolved. I met the road Secretary yesterday and impressed upon him that the targeted 7,000 kms of roads that are to be built should now take off the ground,'' Dr Ahluwalia said addressing a session at the Economic Editors' Conference here, which was inaugurated by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee yesterday.

He said he would again speak to the Secretary and meet Minister of Road Transport and Highways Kamal Nath in this connection.

The Plan Panel Deputy Chief said the problems relating to the reluctance of the financial and banking system in the wake of the global financial crisis to provide funds for the road projects were also behind now. Banks are once again willing to provide funding for credible and sound projects.

Dr Ahluwalia said the Planning Commission has accepted the recommendations of the B K Chaturvedi Committee Report on Highway Development and all other problems have been settled too.

--UNI

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