Mumbai-Delhi Expressway has 'additional land' even for Bullet train operations

New Delhi, Feb 10: The work for the much awaited Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is going on in full swing and once completed the car travel between two metropolia will be only about 12 hours.
There would be multiple benefits from the project as it would also open job avenues in the tribal sectors in the partner states and there is also additional land to be used for Bullet train projects.
"This road would have a width of 120 metres and the Ministry of Surface Transport has offered some land for use by the Railways. If they are interested for land to run Bullet Trains, we may offer them some land," a key source said here.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to dedicate the project in next 15 days or so, sources said.
Official sources said the 'transparent manner' of functioning in land acquisition and work allotment to the contractors have helped the exchequer make a clear saving of Rs 16,000 crore.
Sources said the work wise allocation made in each partner states involve 240 KM work allotment in Madhya Pradesh, 400 km in Rajasthan, 250 km in Gujarat and 250 km in Maharashtra.
For Vadodara-Mumbai section, already a sanction of Rs 44,000 crore has been made, the source said.
The issues pertaining to this project figured prominently during Question Time in Lok Sabha and answering to queries from members, Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said that the adjoining areas along the ambitious project would have logistic parking and scopes for industrial units.
"This will open job avenues in tribal sectors," he has said.
Answering questions on Bharatmala Pariyojana, the Minister said the umbrella programme comprises of about 65,000 km of highways.
"Out of the total length under Bharatmala Pariyojana, 24,800 km Highways - that is economic corridors, inter corridors, feeder roads and border roads along with 10,000 km residual stretches have been envisaged for construction for a period of five years from 2017-18 to 2021-22," the Minister told the lawmakers in the House of the People.
He also said a total sum of Rs 5,35,000 crores has been earmarked for the same.