"Golden Quadrilateral" contributing in economic growth

The Golden Quadrilateral, the highway network that links many India’s four key cities – Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai thus connecting the major industrial, agricultural and cultural centres of India- is helping in the economic growth and national integrity of the country.
Golden Quadrilateral (GQ):
The project was started in 2001 by Atal Bihari Vajpayee under the NDA government, and was completed in January 2012. It was the Phase-1 of the bigger National Highway Development Project that was launched in 1998 by the same government.  GQ, consisting of 5,846 km (3,633 mi) four/six lane express highways, was the largest highway project in India and the fifth longest in the world when it was launched. It is so named as it forms a quadrilateral of sorts by connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. Other cities among the top metropolises namely Pune, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Kanpur, Surat at north and Bengaluru, Visakhapatnam & Bhubaneswar at south are also connected by the network. It is managed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) under the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways.
Economic benefits
The projected economic benefits of the GQ project

1. Faster transport networks between major cities and ports.
2. Smoother movement of products and people within India.
3. Impetus to industrial and job development in smaller towns through access to markets.
4. Opportunities for farmers, through improved transportation of produce from the agricultural hinterland to major cities and ports for export, through lesser wastage and spoils.
5. Driving economic growth directly, through construction as well as through indirect demand for cement, steel and other construction materials.
6. Boosting truck-transport throughout India.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2014