New Delhi, April 20 (KNN) Thanking Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on behalf of 450,000 MSME members, Ajay Singh, Sr. Vice President,  Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) assured him of full co-operation and support in successfully implementing various innovative initiatives.

Addressing an industry event organised by ASSOCHAM its President Sumant Sinha said, “The government can focus more on optimising the cost of construction and lifetime maintenance, something we as a country lag behind developed nations. The government and the private sector can work more collaboratively to ensure we have best-in-class operational guidelines to keep our infrastructure in good shape for the longer-term, including making the assets more weather-resistance, especially during monsoons”.

Speaking at the occasion, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said that Industry, agriculture, employment and infrastructure are the pillars of growth and development.

“We can no longer expect the government alone to make all investments and we need to find innovative financial models to secure financing of projects. The successful management of Liquid as well as Solid waste in Mathura is an excellent example and worth a case study,” he added.

He pointed out that road sector does not have a dedicated NBFC unlike power or railways, this needs to be addressed at the earliest.

Acknowledging ASSOCHAM’s role in cost savings of Rs 5,000 crore in the construction of Zojila tunnel, the Minister said, “Environmentally conscious development is important and we are looking to replace diesel with ethanol which is cheaper and gives farmers additional income. We have also adopted transplantation in place of chopping down trees and we will need at least 1,000 contractors who are ready to transplant trees” the minister added.

He also suggested a setting up of committee jointly with experts under ShyamKant Dharmadhikari to look into the issues related to tunneling. (KNN Bureau)