Gadkari announces Kashmir to Kanyakumari expressway plan

23 Aug 2023 CW Team

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, during his address at the Aaj Tak G20 Summit, revealed the government's intent to construct a monumental expressway linking Kashmir to Kanyakumari. This ambitious project is poised to facilitate seamless connectivity from India's northernmost region to its southern tip and will be constructed as an access-controlled road. In addition, Gadkari announced the anticipated completion of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway by early next year, likely by January or February.

Amidst these announcements, Gadkari also tackled controversies surrounding the Dwarka Expressway project. He vehemently dismissed the claims of "huge funding mismanagement" made in an audit report, labelling it as a "gross misrepresentation." This report had sparked a political dispute, primarily centred around the cost of constructing the Dwarka Expressway. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had highlighted an excessive cost of Rs 2.5077 billion per kilometre for the 29.06-kilometer expressway, significantly surpassing the sanctioned cost of Rs 182 million per kilometre by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

Gadkari countered these allegations by asserting that the expressway's length was around 230 kilometres, accounting for tunnels and other components. He clarified that the actual cost per kilometre was Rs 95 million, a point he had conveyed to CAG officials, though they proceeded with the unfavourable report. Ministry sources criticised the CAG's methodology, as it didn't consider elements like flyovers and underpasses. They contended that the expressway's diverse features necessitated a different cost evaluation.

Gadkari's revelation of the Kashmir to Kanyakumari expressway reflects a monumental infrastructure aspiration, while his vigorous defence against funding allegations showcases his commitment to transparent project management.

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