Initiatives to Develop Asian Highways

PM chairs meeting on connectivity-related sectors of infrastructure The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today chaired a high-level meeting on the connectivity-related sectors of infrastructure. The Prime Minister placed high priority on the progress of the Railways sector, which, he stated, had the maximum potential to positively impact the lives of the people in the country. He said there is global interest in the Railways sector, and directed that all efforts be made to translate the positive policy interventions and global interest in the sector, to the benefit of the people. He said that within the Railways sector, top priority should be given to the areas of railway station development, gauge conversion, electrification and doubling of railway tracks. He inquired about the progress on issues such as skill development in the railway sector, and dedicated universities for the sector. He inquired about the status of the Patna and Munger Railway Bridges in Bihar. Reviewing the roads sector, the Prime Minister said road-links between India and Nepal should be repaired on priority. Reviewing the shipping sector, the Prime Minister re-emphasized the importance of port-led development, and island development. The Prime Minister also reviewed the telecommunications sector. Union Ministers Shri Nitin Gadkari, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Shri Piyush Goyal, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Shri Suresh Prabhu and Shri Ashok Gajpati Raju were present at the meeting. Senior officers from NITI Aayog, various infrastructure Ministries and PMO were also present.

India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Bill passed in the Parliament The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has thanked leaders on passage of India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Bill in the Parliament.“Today a historic milestone has been reached in India-Bangladesh relations after the passing of the Constitutional Amendment by Parliament. The Amendment passed ensures a permanent settlement of land boundary with Bangladesh and resolution of long-pending boundary issues. This would contribute to a stable andpeaceful boundary, better management and coordination of the border andwill lead to enhanced security as well. My thanks to all the political parties for their cooperation, as also to the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura and West Bengal. This reflects the collective will of the nation to build constructive relations with our neighbours. Spoke to Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina and conveyed my greetings to the people of Bangladesh on this landmark occasion.  I want to convey my gratitude to our NDA allies for the support and co-operation that led to passage of India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Bill. Spoke to Sonia ji, Kharge ji, Jayalalithaa ji, Karunanidhi ji, Yechury ji, Mayawati ji, Mulayam Singh ji, Naveen Babu and Sharad Yadav ji. I thanked these leaders for their support in the historic passage of the Bill that will mark a fresh chapter in our ties with Bangladesh”, the Prime Minister said.