The BJP on Thursday alleged that organising Make in Odisha Conclave bears no meaning as the State Government is standing on the way of construction of National Highways, which are an essential need for industrialisation.
“A total of 4,650 km of National Highways had been constructed in Odisha by the time Narendra Modi Government was formed at the Centre in 2014. It included 1,385 km constructed in 10 years during the UPA-I and II Governments. While five years of the Modi Government have not been completed, NHs over 10,000 km have been planned in Odisha,” said BJP vice-president Sameer Mohanty at a Press meet here.
He said the 365-km NH projects worth over Rs 3,870 crore have been halted due to delay in land acquisition and unavailability of forest clearance. Widening of NH 6, NH 5, NH 23 and seven other NHs and construction of nine new NH projects have been halted at different places, he said.
Besides, DPRs are being prepared to convert 13 roads into NHs in Odisha. While the Union Government has requested to the State Government to submit proposals for construction of 2526-km NHs, the latter has not provided any support, he alleged.
“Road communication is the first need of Make in Odisha. While the Modi Government has provided all support, NHs are not being widened and constructed due to the lack of support from the State. It clearly indicates that the State Government doesn’t want to make the conclave fruitful,” pointed out Mohanty.
