Delay in completion of NH-8 Expressway embarrassing: Nitin Gadkari

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari today said the delay in construction work of Delhi-Jaipur Expressway is an "embarrassment" and all- out efforts are being made to complete the project by 2015.

"Delhi-Jaipur Expressway is the project with black spot for us. I visited the site and can say that there are so many problems and hurdles and our mission is to complete it despite all problems," he told reporters through video conferencing. 

Gadkari said any action against the NH-8 project contractor will further delay it and the priority of his Ministry is to complete it by next year. "I am in a position of embarrassment for this project. But I can say that our mission is to complete it by 2015," he said. The Minister said he faces embarrassment when MPs from the state ask him about the progress in the six-lane highway project.

Gadkari asked officials to find out how improvement can be made in the project by implementing modern technology and innovation and also suggested underground tunnel for it. When asked about water problems in the state, he said fluoride and arsenic levels in water was high in Rajasthan and he would ask the Chief Minister to take up the issue on priority.