Chennai, Jan 8 : Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today laid the foundation stone for the elevated road from Chennai Port to Maduravoyal here today.

"This project is one more important milestone in the ambitious road programme of the government that will transform the country''s transport sector, give a boost to industry and integrate the economy," said Dr. Singh.

"The country needs world-class road infrastructure; world class public transport systems and world class ports and railways. The government is working sincerely to deliver these high quality communication networks within a reasonable time frame," he added.

Speaking about the project, Dr. Singh said that the elevated road in Chennai is aimed at quick and continuous dispersal of freight in to and out of Chennai Port to other parts of the country via the GQ corridor.

"Spanning a total length of 19 kms, it is the longest elevated corridor project in the country," he said.

He said another aspect of this project is that about 12,000 families of the weaker sections especially the slum dwellers are going to be rehabilitated by providing alternative shelters.

"The Government of Tamil Nadu and Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and Chennai Port Trust have agreed to share equally the cost of land acquisition and rehabilitation and resettlement of slum dwellers," he said.

The Prime Minister said that the Government has given a great impetus for the all round growth of infrastructure in the country, whether in the railways, ports or road sector.

"The UPA Government has taken steps to accelerate the progress of ongoing National Highways Development Programme. Four-laning of the Golden Quadrilateral is almost complete. We have begun six-laning the Golden Quadrilateral and concessions for 1,005 km have already been awarded. Considerable work also has been completed on the North-South and East-West Corridor," he said.

He further said that the Government has approved construction of 1,000 km of Expressways under NHDP Phase-VI and also construction of Ring Roads, Flyovers and Bypasses in selected stretches under NHDP Phase-VII.

"These projects are targeted to be completed by 2015," he added.

Informing about another project, he said in Tamil Nadu, the entire stretch of the Golden Quadrilateral and NHDP Phase-I for a length of 342 kms has been completed and these stretches are being taken up for six-laning.

"I am confident that the Centre and State working together will bring connectivity and prosperity to the people of Tamil Nadu under the distinguished leadership of Dr. Kalaignar," he added.

Dr. Singh later added that the Government and the Reserve Bank have also taken several steps to reduce interest rates and increase the flow of credit for infrastructure, housing and industry.

"These measures will give a boost not only to the road sector, but also to the economy as a whole," he said. (ANI)