Speaking at the curtain raiser for Indian Roads Congress to be held in the city in December, Goswami said that it was becoming difficult to acquire land for highway construction in the state. For this, a number of such projects were being held up, the Minister said.
Goswami said that although a very powerful Highway Act was there, it would not be prudent to implement that legislation as this would result in agitation. In this context, he said that a suitable compensation package should be devised for the land-losers.
The Minister also suggested that a fee be imposed on commercial entities located on both sides of national highways.
He said that betterment of highways had led to economic prosperity of the commercial entities for which they should pay a fee for maintenance. The Congress would deliberate on the various issues relating to road infrastructure.