Question : UPGRDATION OF NATIONAL HIGHWAYS

(a) the details of the proposals approved by the Union Government received from various State Governments for conversion of two-lane National Highways into four/six/ eight-lane separately during the last three years and the current year, State- wise including West Bengal and Karnataka;

(b) the details of pending proposals, if any, along with the reasons therefor and the time by which the same are likely to be cleared, State-wise;

(c) the present status of the approved/on-going projects along with the funds allocated and expenditure incurred thereon, State-wise; and

(d) the details of delayed projects, if any, along with the reasons therefor and the steps taken by the Government for their timely completion along with the time by which these projects are likely to be completed, State-wise?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI SARVEY SATHYANARAYANA)

(a) & (b) The State-wise details of proposals approved by the Union Government received from various State Governments for conversion of two-lane National Highways into four/six/eight-lane separately during the last three years and the current year is at Annexure-I. The proposals are sanctioned depending upon technical requirements, inter-se priority and availability of funds. Proposals not sanctioned in a year are treated as returned unapproved.

(c) These projects are in various stages of completion. Project wise funds are not allocated rather funds are allocated for development of all the projects in the States. The State-wise details of the funds allocated and expenditure incurred thereon during the last three years and current year is at Annexure-II.

(d) There have been delays in implementation of some projects. The delays are due to problems such as land acquisition, shifting of utilities, environmental and forest clearance, approval for rail over bridges, law & order problem as well as shortage of skilled / semi- skilled manpower, poor performance of contractors and economic slowdown. In order to expedite implementation of the projects, review meetings are being regularly held to sort out various issues with the concerned agencies. The works are likely to be completed latest by June, 16.