India assures Sri Lanka on world class road infrastructure in Jaffna

New Delhi [India], Apr 26 (ANI): India has agreed to cooperate with Sri Lanka in developing world class road infrastructure in Jaffna region of Sri Lanka. The Indo-Sri Lanka Cooperation in road construction came up for discussion when Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari called on visiting Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Vickramasinghe. During the discussions, the Sri Lankan Prime Minister invited the Government of India to take up development of three stretches of major road stretches namely Jaffna to Mannar, Mannar to Vavuniya and Dambulla to Tricomalee. The Minister informed the Sri Lankan Prime Minister that Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, during the last three years, has showcased tremendous amount of acceleration of road construction in India and is capable of taking up the roads and completing before time. The Sri Lankan Prime Minister suggested that these stretches are important for Sri Lanka to develop the region of Jaffna. Gadkari assured the Sri Lanka Prime Minister that Government of India and his Ministry shall fully cooperate with Sri Lankan Government's efforts in developing world class infrastructure in Sri Lanka. The Minister also suggested that taking up all these stretches for development may only be possible with the active support of Sri Lankan agencies for land acquisition and local clearances. Without acquisition and other clearances in place, it will be difficult to complete the project in time. Indian delegation proposed that a suitable financial model for developing these roads may be put in place. On receiving the final formal proposal, the Minister assured that we may look at appointing an international consultant to take up detailed study and preparation of feasibility report and DPR for these stretches. Gadkari reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment of India's active support in strengthening bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka. (ANI)