Question : NH PROJECTS IN ODISHA

(a) the length of each National Highway including ongoing projects in Odisha;

(b) whether certain highway projects in Odisha are pending for approval ;

(c) if so, the details thereof including roads and State highways declared as National Highway in Odisha during the last three years and the current year; and

(d) the steps taken by the Government to expedite the delayed projects in the State particularly construction work for Rayagada to Motu on Ranchi-Vijayawada National Highway corridor in Malkangiri?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a) Total length of National Highways in Odisha is 4636 km and there are 42 nos. ongoing NH projects in Odisha. Details of National Highways & ongoing Projects are at Annexure-I & II.

(b) No madam. However works amounting Rs. 1449.08 crore are proposed to be sanctioned under Annual Plan 2014-15.

(c) Ministry has declared following six National Highways during last three years.
(I) NH 220,
(II) 153B,
(III). 157,
(IV). 326,
(V). 130C
(VI). 326A

(d) Following actions are being taken in general for expedite the delay projects in Odisha.

(I) Regular coordination meetings are being held with the concerned Competent Authority of Land Acquisition (CALA), Concessionaire, Officials of the Forest Department to ensure the necessary clearance and approval in time and to expedite the progress of work.

(II). Regular contract management meeting are taken at different level to complete the work.

(III) To remove hurdles in execution of delayed projects in Rayagada to Motu on Ranchi-Vijayawada National Highway corridor in Malkangiri Ministry has requested the State Governments to constitute the District Level Coordination Committee headed by District Magistrate comprised of District SP, Central Armed Forces, State PWD and Contractor to plan and proceed with the area Domination by Armed Forces. The Central Government had notified relaxation requiring general approval under Section-2 of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for diversion of forest land for construction/development of roads involving not more than 5.00 hectares of forest land in each case in LWE affected areas. The qualification criteria of the contractors have been relaxed by the Ministry in December 2012 to encourage a larger participation of local contractors for execution of LWE works where there is no response despite repeated calls. The clubbing and splitting of works have been permitted, where there is no response to tenders. The works under RRP-I are likely to be completed by March 2015 except for works which are yet to be awarded.