GUWAHATI, June 30: The central government wants to build capacity of local contractors, engineers and other stakeholders for participation in the construction of highways and infrastructure in the North-East, Union Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari said today.
"I have asked the norm to be relaxed if necessary without compromising on quality, train local contractors, make small packages, give 10 per cent advance so that more can get work. Encourage, not discourage," Gadkari said.
The involvement of local stakeholders, he said, would result in inclusive development of the region through creation of jobs and opening up of avenues.
Gadkari spoke on the occasion of the inauguration of a two-day conference on key challenges in highways and infrastructure construction in the region here.
The Centre has decided to award contractors of the North East Rs 1 lakh crore construction projects involving completion of 10,000 km in five years, he said.
"The local contractors are not being able to participate in the road construction process as the technical and financial component cannot be fulfilled by them," he explained.
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