(a) whether the Government is considering for double lanning of Rishikesh-Rudraprayag-Joshimath road;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the stretches sanctioned for double lanning;
(c) the funds allocated for this purpose and the present status of various stretches; and
(d) the reasons for slow progress in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI KRISHANPAL GURJAR)
(a) to (c) This Ministry is primarily responsible for development and maintenance of National Highways in the country through its implementing agencies. Widening of National Highway to double lanning is also part of development work which is carried out based on volume of traffic, availability of funds and inter se priority of works. The Border Roads Organization (BRO) is the implementing agency for Rishikesh –Rudraprayag- Joshimath section of NH-58 in Uttarakhand. Out of total length of 253 Km of Rishikesh -Rudraprayag-Joshimath section of NH-58, double lanning of 156 Km length has been undertaken. This Ministry makes the allocation of funds for the development and maintenance of National Highways entrusted to BRO not project or state wise but on all India basis.
(d) Due to natural calamity in June, 2013 in Uttarakhand, heavy rains and its location in hilly terrain with slide-prone stretches, there has been some slow progress on double lanning work of this section of NH-58 in Uttarakhand.