Mamta meets Nitin Gadkari, roads to get better in Bengal

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held a meeting with Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari in the national capital to discuss several pending infrastructure, road and transport projects of the state. She demanded the construction of a long bridge to Sundarbans as a huge fair is organised each year in the region which attracts nearly 30 lakh tourists.

New Delhi:West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on Thursday to discuss several infrastructure projects to invite global investors to the state. During the fourth day of her Delhi visit, Mamata brought up pending road and transport projects during her discussions with Gadkari which lasted for about an hour. Briefing media after the meeting, Mamata said to improve road and transport projects in West Bengal she discussed with the Union Minister for Road Transport and National Highways.

Mamata said that she demanded the construction of a long bridge to Sundarbans as a huge fair is organised each year in the region which attracts nearly 30 lakh tourists. She also demanded to increase the distance of Digha Road along with the construction of an elevated road between Dev Parashar to Bonda to avoid road accidents as hundreds of people reside in this area. The Chief Minister also said the state requires proper roads as it borders Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and northeastern states.

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"I requested Gadkari Ji that it will be good if we get a manufacturing industry in our state to make electric vehicles which not only draw global investments but will also generate job opportunities in West Bengal," she told reporters. Demanding the construction of double-layer roads, she said that many roads have been damaged at many places due to recent storms and floods apart from heavy vehicles in large numbers plying on these roads.

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"Nitin Gadkari asked me to call my Chief Secretary to Delhi. He will be attending a meeting with DG, PWD Minister, secretary, transport secretary and Gadkari himself on Friday. As per the convenience of Gadkari Ji, I will send my chief secretary to meet him," she said. Talking about proper road connectivity and improved transportation, Mamta said that there is a need for a comprehensive improvement in the facilities of transport to assist a maximum number of passengers given the population of the state.

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