The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways inaugurated a conference of regional officers of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in New Delhi yesterday.

Speaking at the inauguration, the minister for Road Transport & Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari emphasised that a positive attitude, transparent working system and prompt decision making are essential for the ministry to realise its objective of facilitating safe and seamless travel across the country.

The Road Transport Minister said there is a need to work on reducing accidents and road fatalities with the rectification work at identified black spots in urgent need to be speeded up. That apart, he also mentioned the need to work on roadside amenities on waste lands.

Gadkari urged government officials to solve problems in a proactive and positive manner within the ambit of applicable rules and regulations, and avoid unnecessary delays. He said that negative approach only leads to delay in the completion of project, and delays cause avoidable cost overruns and harassment to all stakeholders. He also emphasised on cooperation, coordination and communication as the key to find solutions, also stressing the need for proper delegation of work to better utilise time and cost of road construction.

While speaking on the issue of land acquisition, he said that following the Land Acquisition act of 2013, though the cost of land has gone up it had made the process of acquiring land smoother due to adequate compensation, calling upon states to streamline the compensation process. 

Moreover, the minister for state Pon Radhakrishnan stated that roads are the second biggest infrastructure after power and that the hybrid annuity model could take development further. He added that non-disbursement of funds and lack of updation of revenue records leads to delay in land acquisition. 

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