Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and MSMEs Nitin Gadkari today inaugurated and laid the foundation for 18 highway projects in Rajasthan through video conference.<br />''<br />''The virtual function was attended by Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot,  Union minister for Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and other Union Ministers from the state.<br />''<br />''AIR correspondent reports that the length of these road projects is about 1127 km, involving expenditure of Rs 8,341 crore.<br />''<br />''11 projects costing Rs 6,427 crore were inaugurated today, with a total length of 821 km.<br />''<br />''These projects also include construction of Jaipur Ring Road, which will reduce the traffic pressure in Jaipur city.<br />''<br />''Similarly, the foundation of 7 projects of 305 km length of 1 thousand 913 crores have been laid today.<br />''<br />''These projects will boost tourism in the state, reduce accidents and provide better connectivity to armed forces and villages.<br />''<br />''Addressing the program, Gadkari said that 52 projects worth 30 thousand crores have been completed by the Ministry of Roads and Highways in the last six years.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">He informed that in the coming two years, works of 2,700 km will be completed in the state.</span><br />