CHENNAI: S. Ramadoss, founder of Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), on Saturday described as shocking Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari's statement that difficulties are being encountered in laying National Highways in Tamil Nadu.
Ramadoss stated that the Tamil Nadu government should clarify the status because Gadkari's charge is serious and National Highway projects are critical to the state's economic growth. Moreover, the PMK leader stated that the eight-lane expressway connecting Chennai and Salem is unnecessary because it jeopardises the livelihoods of several farmers.
Ramadoss stated that the Tamil Nadu government should not proceed with the Chennai-Salem expressway despite pressure from the central government. Gadkari recently stated that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is having difficulty obtaining construction aggregates and obtaining forest clearance in Tamil Nadu due to the state's bureaucracy. Gadkari urged Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to conduct an investigation and resolve the matter.
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