NH development cost in Kerala 100cr/km’: Gadkari moots alternatives

Stage is set to resolve the issues between state and Centre over the former’s refusal to bear 25% of the land acquisition (LA) cost for upcoming NH development in Kerala.

Inaugurating the completed road projects and laying the foundation stone for upcoming projects (15 in total, including Kazhakkoottam’s elevated flyover and Kuthiran tunnel) worth Rs 45,536 crore on Thursday, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said that instead of bearing 25% of LA costs for upcoming projects, Kerala should waive off its share of GST on steel and cement. He added that government can give land required for development projects free of cost to construct logistic parks so that the issue can be resolved. He said Centre understands Kerala’s issue and its inability to bear the LA cost from its budget.