Union minister for roads, transport and highways Nitin Gadkari said on Saturday that National Highway projects worth Rs 4000 crore are ongoing in 351 projects in NE and that in the state of Meghalaya road projects worth over Rs 25,000 crore are being implemented.

Addressing election rallies in South Garo Hills and West Khasi Hills districts, Gadkari said, “To eradicate poverty and reduce the suffering of people, we have to make good roads and in NE, the Modi government is making roads worth 3 lakh crore which will be completed by 2024.”

The minister said that the network of road connectivity in NE has increased by 25 per cent since 2014.

He said that the Government of India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is making roads valued at Rs 3 lakh crore in the North East to help eradicate poverty and reduce the suffering of the people.

Gadkari also named various road projects undertaken in Meghalaya costing Rs 25,842 crore.

“There are places where there are schools but no teachers; places where there are teachers but no school buildings and places where there may be both but no students due to lack of road connectivity and other related issues,” he said.

For a place to prosper and develop, industries and businesses are needed, which can only be achieved if there are good sources of water and power, good transport and communication facilities, the minister added.

“For the eradication of poverty, it is absolutely essential that industry and business both grow side by side. In the absence of good infrastructure, we don’t have industry and without industry, we don’t have the potential for growth and employment,” Gadkari said.