Question : Runways on Highways and Stretches

(a) whether there are proposals to develop highway stretches in such a fashion that they may double up as airstrips, if so, the details thereof along with spot identified for the purpose;

(b) whether the road transport Ministry is working on a proposal with Ministry of Defence to construct runways on highways and stretches, if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Union Government has constituted a committee in this regard, if so, the details thereof along with composition of the committee and its mandate; and

(d) whether the aforesaid committee has submitted its report, if so, the details thereof along with the recommendations thereof and the time by which the work on these projects is likely to be started?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a) to (d) The Ministry is primarily responsible for development and maintenance of National Highways (NHs). Discussions are being held on necessity for setting up emergency landing facilities along major NH corridors for fixed wing Aircrafts between this Ministry, Ministry of Defence and the Indian Air Force. It has been decided to constitute an Inter-Ministerial Coordination Group (IMG) of the Ministry, Ministry of Defence and Indian Air Force officials for achieving the objectives. The IMG is being constituted.

*****