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While responding to questions raised during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha, the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways also said the Bharatmala Pariyojana is an important project that will change the country’s face. Gadkari said that the construction record came to 29.6 km, which means 30 km per day.

According to a PTI report, this is for the first time in the history of the country, the highest record was achieved by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). In the next five years, the total construction of roads will match the likes of the United States and the European nations, he said.

Until now, the contract has been awarded for 13,521 km and detailed project report (DPR) for 16,500 km is in the pipeline. Besides, bids have been invited for 4,800 km. The NHAI has also made a world record by laying down 12,500 cubic meters of concrete on a stretch of 2.54 km, Gadkari said.

The Union Minister, regarding the Char Dham project, said the ministry has taken up improvement as well as widening of 825 km (existing 889 km) of National Highways on the route.

According to him, this will provide safer and improved road connectivity from Rishikesh to Janki Chati (Yamunotri), Gangotri and Mana (Badrinath), Gaurikund (Kedarnath) including the section from Tanakpur to Pithoragarh, of Kailash-Mansarovar route in the state of Uttarakhand at Rs 12,072 crore cost under as many as 53 separate projects. The 94 km long National Highway from Uttarkashi to Gangotri passes through the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone. Till date, no work has been sanctioned on this section, he said.

To a question about giving exemption to differently abled people from paying road tax, the minister said this exemption is an issue of states and 11 states have already extended this exemption.