With the political parties gearing up for the battle of Bihar in September-October, Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced on Tuesday that the State would get roads estimated at Rs. 50,000 crore and waterways to Kolkata soon, with the work starting this year

“There will be no dearth of money for development in Bihar, but the only thing required is a strong willpower and a vision for it,” Mr. Gadkari said. He was speaking at a function organised here by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to mark the completion of one year of the Narendra Modi government. Construction of roads had brought laurels for the Nitish Kumar government, playing a significant role in the re-election of his government in the 2010 Assembly elections when the Janata Dal (U) and the BJP were in an alliance.

Mr. Gadkari said a port would be constructed along the Ganga in Patna to connect it with Kolkata by next year. “Small planes that could land on water would be brought here,” he said.

“After the port is ready, trains will not be necessary for going to Kolkata from Patna. People can easily travel on the Ganga to reach there,” the Union Minister said.
Driving training centres

Listing the achievements of the NDA government of the Centre, Mr. Gadkari said his Ministry had planned to open driving training centres in all Assembly constituencies in the country, including Bihar.

“People will learn driving at these centres and the test will not be done by the district transport officer but by computers,” he said.