Davos: The massive USD150-billion
investment envisaged for the roads and highways sector in the
next five years will add about 2 per cent to the country's
GDP, Transport Minister Kamal Nath said here today.
"...this will add 2 per cent to our GDP....and those
are just numbers, but in terms of grand situation, it will be
creating economic activity," Nath told the US television
channel CNN's 'Quest Means Business' programme when asked
about the USD 150-billion expected investment in next five
years.
The lack of infrastructure would have kept the country
from achieving higher growth but the situation now is set to
change, he said, adding, "I think the infrastructure deficit
would have held the country back, which has held it from
unleashing itself more. Its got to happen," Nath said.
The development of national highways would help in
trade, agriculture and industry, he added.
Soon after taking charge of the Ministry last year,
Nath had set the target of building about 35,000 km of
national highways in the next five years requiring the massive
investment.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, January 28, 2010, 18:38