Banga-Anandpur Sahib-Naina Devi stretch not fit for highway, says Nitin Gadkari

Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 29

In reply to a question by Member of Parliament Manish Tewari in the Lok Sabha today, Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said the ambitious Banga-Anandpur Sahib-Naina Devi road was not fit to be a highway.

Tewari flags issue in lok sabha

• The foundation stone of the 67.64-km project was laid in the presence of SAD MP Prem Singh Chandumajra in Feb 2019
• The project was tipped to be a move by the BJP in the Centre to placate voters for its ally SAD candidate in the General Elections
• The project, however, was buried in the political din after Congress’ Manish Tewari won from Anandpur Sahib. Tewari raised the issue in the Lok Sabha on Thursday

“After conducting a feasibility study, the ministry has not found this stretch fit to be declared a national highway,” said Gadkari. The foundation stone of the ambitious 67.64-km project worth Rs 581 crore was laid with much fanfare in the presence of SAD MP Prem Singh Chandumajra in February 2019. The project was tipped to be a move by the BJP in the Centre to placate voters for its ally SAD candidate in elections. The project, however, was buried in the political din after Congress’ Manish Tewari won from Anandpur Sahib.

Facing repeated queries about the project from people in his constituency, Tewari continued to peruse the matter with the Centre. Even during the Budget session in March, he raised the issue of the incomplete road project. Gadkari had said if he received specific information about the project, he would look into the matter.

Not satisfied with the government response, Tewari put in specific questions this time. He asked why the NHAI had not initiated any action after February 2019 and whether the ministry had decided to abandon the project.

Tewari said, “I am raising the issue as the project is being shelved only due to political reasons. We all know no project of this magnitude is started by the Centre without getting a detailed project report. It would not have been named a national highway without getting a report of project implementation from ground. I am not satisfied with the answer and will keep pursuing it.”

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