BY TARIQUE SALEEM FROM JAIPUR
A thematic session on the theme of infrastructure and supply chain was organised on the second day of the ‘Rising Rajasthan’ Global Investment Summit 2024. The discussions took place on crucial areas such as enhancing logistical efficiency, sustainable expressways, and developing industrial zones near transport networks to boost operations and sustainability. The session was attended by Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Rajasthan, Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Minister of Road, Transport and Highways, Government of India, Smt. Diya Kumari, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister, Government of Rajasthan, Dr. Prem Chand Bairwa, Deputy Chief Minister, Government of Rajasthan, Shri Jogaram Patel, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Rajasthan and Shri Hemant Meena, Revenue Minister, Government of Rajasthan.
Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Rajasthan said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and supervision of Shri Nitin Gadkari, the country is taking giant leaps in the area of infrastructure development with a futuristic vision that will help not only the present generation but future generations as well.” In his address, Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Minister of Road, Transport and Highways, Government of India expressed hope that under the leadership of CM Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma Rajasthan’s Sun will soar very high in the coming years.
Shri Gadkari said, “The passage of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor through the tribal districts of the state of Rajasthan will facilitate the development of these districts at a fast pace and help unlock the industrial potential of these areas.” “An efficient transport system is one of the four pillars in the infrastructure sector whose availability facilitates the flow of investment, asset creation and generation of new jobs,” he added. Shri Gadkari also announced 9 roads and highways projects, having a total length of 800 kms, for Rajasthan, including Northern Jaipur Ring Road and Jaipur-Kishangarh-Jodhpur to Amritsar Highway project while addressing the gathering. The projects are estimated to cost INR 30,000 crore.
Shri Jogaram Patel, Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Government of Rajasthan said, “Excellent road network and logistics sector are key for an indispensable role in the development of the state. Hon’ble CM Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma has for the first time in the history of Rajasthan taken crucial measures to link all the four major corners of the state with an efficient road network.” Shri Praveen Gupta, Principal Secretary, PWD, Government of Rajasthan said, “Rajasthan has taken big strides in the logistics sector which has led to significant improvement in its ranking in the logistics sector. The government is soon going to launch the Rajasthan Logistics Policy 2024 to attract more investment in the sector, reduce logistics and transportation cost.”
The session titled “Infrastructure: An Important Link in Supply Chain” saw experts deliberating on strategies to integrate various modes of transport to enhance logistical efficiency and developing specialised networks for efficient freight movement. The panellists also dwelled upon the subject of making the expressways sustainable and eco-friendly. The experts also weighed on the strategy of developing dedicated industrial zones which are in close proximity to the transport systems enhancing efficiency and scale of operations.
The event was also attended by Shri Santosh Kumar Yadav, Chairman, NHAI; Dr. Surendra Ahirwar, Joint Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade (DPIIT), Shri Prakash Gaur, Director In charge and CEO, National Highways Logistics Management Ltd; Shri Priya Ranjan Parhi, Director (International Marketing and Operations), Container Corporation of India (CONCOR); Shri Ajay Patel, Project Director, Bhaskarachrya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-Information (BISAG-N); Shri Puneet Khandelwal, Head, Utilities and Finance, Energy, World Resources Institute (WRI) and Shri Ashwinder R Singh, Vice Chairman and CEO BCD Group.
