Major roadblock

Rajpath :: The Week: "Language is not the only problem between Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and Surface Transport Minister T.R. Baalu. The Bihar strongman is unhappy that Baalu’s ministry is not building new roads in his state.

The National Highways Authority of India is saying certain roads can be built only on the build, operate and transfer basis, and the problem in Bihar is that there are no takers for the tenders floated by the authority. No road builder is confident of recovering the costs, given the chaotic situation in Bihar. So what, says Lalu who wants Bihar to be treated as a special case and be allotted government money. But Baalu says if he does it in Bihar, then all chief ministers will demand Central funds. But, knowing Lalu and his ability to armtwist the UPA leadership, the last word is not said yet. "