Strategic road development comes into focus

Although Gujarat roads are considered to be in a better shape compared with other states in the country, the state has for the first time endeavored to prepare a network of roads in a strategic manner.

The government has chalked out plans to link Gujarat from north to south and from east to west very much on the lines of north-south, east-west corridor project of the central government. The strategy of road development is aimed at ensuring transportation from one end to another within 10 hours.

The state government has announced, 'Pragatipath Yojana,' a scheme forming a part of the strategic road development plan. Under this scheme, the government has identified as many as nine long distance high-speed corridors to be developed. The state government, central government and the private parties will form partnership for speedy implementation of the scheme.

While announcing the budget estimates for 2005-2006 in the Gujarat legislative assembly on Friday, Vajubhai Vala, the state finance minister, said, "The state government has allocated Rs 100 crore as additional provision in supplementary demands for 'Pragatipath Yojana' and a provision of Rs 50 crore has been proposed for 2005-2006 for the work. Similarly, an additional provision of Rs 100 crore has been mentioned in supplementary demands and a provision of Rs 50 crore for 2005-2006 has been proposed for each Vikaspath Yojana (aimed at modernisation of state highways) and Kisanpath Yojana (approach roads linking villages)."

The nine long distance, high-speed corridors to be prepared, identified under the 'Pragatipath Yojana' of the state government include, Pipavav-Ambaji-Abu, Radhanpur-Shamalaji, Narayan Sarovar-Dahod, Dakor-Dwarka, Surat-Ahwa, Vapi-Shyamlaji, Dahej-Sagabara, Dwarka-Bhavnagar, Vav-Tharad-Narmada Dam.

"Under the Pragatipath Yojana, we have identified nine long distance, high-speed corridors to be developed with the partnership of state government, central government and the private parties. We have also chalked out Vikashpath Yojana and Kisanpath Yojana for linking the villages with the cities and developing better infrastructural facilities," I K Jadeja, state minister for roads, urban development and health, told Business Standard.

The government has been unable to pay any attention to the modernisation and maintenance of the state highways, though they pass through many cities of the state. However, under the Vikaspath Yojana, the government has decided to develop the state highways passing through cities or mega cities.

The government has decided to widen and strengthen these roads and provide them closed drainage system for disposal of rain water alongwith other facilities such as footpath, central verge and street lights.

Similarly, under the Kisanpath Yojana, the scheme is aimed at developing roads linking the cities and villages and making urban facilities available to the villagers.