Road Transport and Highways Minister Kamal Nath on Friday said the government wants to bridge the infrastructure deficit, which is a key challenge for economic growth of the country.
?The biggest challenge we have is our infrastructure deficit. In that, the biggest challenge is road. It is just not a mode of connectivity. Roads impact agriculture, trade and industry and generate economic activity,? Nath said. Nearly 40% fruits and vegetables get spoiled in the absence of proper means of transportation, he added.
?We have so many manufacturing units coming about from the global markets but until port connectivity is provided, they will not be able to grow,? he said.
Meanwhile, the Rakesh Mohan committee?set up by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to assist the government frame an integrated transport policy for next 15-20 years?will hold its first meeting here on Monday. The panel has to submit its report in the next 18 months.
Mohan said the high economic growth expected in the next 15-20 years will increase demand for transport, ?both passenger and freight as well as domestic and international. So priorities for us is to look at it (transport policy) in an integrated fashion?.