Land acquisition problems take a toll on highway projects: minister

Minister of state for Shipping, Transport and Highways K H Muniyappa has said problem in acquiring land is creating hurdles in the completion of road projects in the state.

Minister of state for Shipping, Transport and Highways K H Muniyappa has said problem in acquiring land is creating hurdles in the completion of road projects in the state.

Speaking at the annual session of the Indian Road Congress in the city on Saturday, Muniyappa said: “West Bengal is doing its best to support the construction of highways. Unfortunately, land acquisition has become a problem, as the state is unable to acquire land necessary for the projects.

“We are unable to complete the projects due to it. One cannot blame the government but people should realise that a country cannot develop without good roads,” added the minister.

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Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee echoed Muniyappa’s opinion on the early completion of the National Highway Development Project (NHDP). He, however, blamed the Opposition for creating obstacles in the project. “It is irresponsible of the Opposition to block the construction of roads, factories and power plants. We have been facing stiff resistance in the construction of national highways, especially NH-34, but we are still trying to sort out the issues,” Bhattacharjee said.

Areas where the projects are facing problem include the 4-km stretch in Panagarh which is part of NH-2, parts of Amdanga and Kadapara of NH-31. The UPA government has allocated about Rs 2, 47,635 crore for NHDP that is expected to be completed by 2014-2015.