Golden Quad will be ready by year end: Baalu

Tiruchirapalli, June 14 : Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T R Baalu said the much awaited Golden Quadrilateral Project connecting four metros and passing through 13 states over 5846 km would be completed before the end of this year.

Addressing a press meet here yesterday after chairing a review meeting of the National Highways Authority on ongoing programmes, Mr Baalu said the North-South and East-West Corridor projects were progressing and would be completed within three years. Of the total length of 4076 km in the North-South corridor, which extended from Srinagar to Kanniyakumari, work had been completed in 600 km.

In the East-West corridor from Silchar to Porbandar, work had been completed in 222 km out of the total 3640 km, the Minister added.

On the Sethusamudaram project, he said things were going as per schedule. About 5.43 Million Cubic Metres of sand had been dredged so far and in the first package 35 to 40 per cent of work was over.

The ministry was also planning to establish seven fishing ports along the coast in Muthupettai, Mallipattinam, Sethubava Chathiram, Thondi, Rameswaram etc, as part of the Sethusamudaram project.

Besides, fish landing facilities would be created in Nagapattinam. He said Rs 60 crores has been allotted for compensation to fishermen.

Asked about National Highways Development Projects in Tamil Nadu, Mr Baalu said of 4233 km National Highways in the state, 3200 km would be four-laned. Work would be completed by 2007 end.

UNI