Golden quadrangle to be completed by 2006 : Maniyappa

Ranchi, May 19 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways K S Maniyappa today said the 'Golden Quadrangle' scheme would be completed within this year.

He also expressed apprehension about slow pace in road construction in Bihar and Jharkhand, saying contractors were not filing tenders fearing naxalite and mafia activities.

Addressing a press conference here, the Minister said during the previous NDA government the progress of golden quadrangle was not satisfactory as only 1.86 km of roads could be constructed per day during that period whereas under the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government, about 4.5 km of stretch, was being built per day.

Referring to the situation here, he said for Ranchi-Jamshedpur 265-km road had been sanctioned but no tender had been received so far.

Mr Maniyappa said the matter was under investigation and attributed to the dealy to naxalite and mafia activities in Bihar and Jharkhand.

UNI PRS SJC SB KN2011