(a) whether a number of National Highway projects have been stuck/delayed for want of funds and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to expedite work on these projects;
(c) whether the Government has identified the common challenges of the concessionaires, States, lenders among others and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government has formulated a suitable policy intervention to address such issues and if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) to (b) No sir. However, some National Highway projects are delayed due to multiple reasons, such as poor performance of contractor, utility shifting, delay in environment/forest clearance, land acquisition, cash flow problem of the concessionaire/contractor, law & order problems etc.
(c) to (d) Common challenges in project execution are delay in land acquisition, utility shifting, environment/forest/wildlife clearances, ROB & RUB issues with Railways, public agitation for additional facilities, non-availability of soil/aggregate, geographical constraints & soil conditions, inadequate cash flow by the contracting agency etc. Government holds regular review meetings at various levels with Regional Officers, State Governments and concessionaires/contractors to resolve the issues and ensure completion of projects within stipulated time. Further, various steps such as streamlining of land acquisition, one time fund infusion, close coordination with other Ministries, revamping of dispute resolution mechanism etc. have been taken up.
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