(a) whether the completion of the Golden Quadrilateral and the North-South and East-West Corridor
Highways is as per the schedule;
(b) if so, the time by which it is expected to be completed;
(c) if not, the reasons for the delay;
(d) whether the Government intends to take necessary steps in this regard;
(e) if so, the details thereof;
(f) whether Rajasthan is also covered under North-South and East-West Highway project; and
(g) if so, the details of works undertaken ?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD
TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI K.H. MUNIYAPPA)
(a) to (c)North-South and East-West Corridors are progressing as per schedule and are
targeted to be completed by December 2007. The Golden Quadrilateral project is not
likely to be completed as per schedule due to certain genuine difficulties as given
in Annexure - 1.However, substantial completion of the Golden Quadrilateral project
is targeted by December 2004, and the entire Golden Quadrilateral project is likely
to be completed in 2005 except Allahabad bypass, which is likely to be completed by
December 2006.
(d) and (e)The Government has already taken necessary steps to expedite completion
of the delayed projects.The details of the steps taken are at Annexure - 2.
(f) and (g) Yes, sir. The State of Rajasthan is also covered under North-South
and East-West Corridors.The details are at Annexure - 3.
ANNEXURE - 1
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO. 4102 FOR ANSWER ON 25Th AUGUST, 2004 ASKED BY SHRI ANANTH KUMAR
AND SHRI RAGHUVEER SINGH KOSHAL REGARDING QUADRILATERAL PROJECT.
Reasons for delay of the Golden Quadrilateral Project
(i) Land Acquisition.
(ii) Environment and Forest clearances.
(iii) Clearance of Railways for ROB designs.
(iv) Difficulties faced by the contractors in some projects in obtaining clearance for aggregates and stone aggregate of requisite quality from the designated
queries.
(v) Law and order problem.
(vi) Stoppage of work by local population demanding additional bypasses, service road, flyovers etc.
(vii) Poor performance of some contractors.
(viii)Unprecedented heavy rains during the financial year 2003-04 in some
states.
ANNEXURE - 2
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (d) AND (e) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION
NO. 4102 FOR ANSWER ON 25Th AUGUST, 2004 ASKED BY SHRI ANANTH KUMAR AND SHRI
RAGHUVEER SINGH KOSHAL REGARDING QUADRILATERAL PROJECT.
Steps taken by the Government to expedite completion of the delayed projects
(i) Progress in each contract is being closely monitored and project-specific
problems and difficulties impeding progress are being identified and addressed.
(ii) Residual Land Acquisition, removal of utilities/ obstruction,
felling of trees etc. holding up progress in respect of any project is being
expedited by pursuing with the concerned state government authorities.
(iii)Pending approvals for construction of ROBs are being expedited by
pursuing with the Railway authorities at all levels.
(iv) Contractors having genuine cash flow problems are being assisted to the
extent possible by providing additional interest bearing advances secured by
Bank Guarantee, deferring recoveries in suitable cases and clearing pending
variation proposals.
(v) Contractors are being assisted in resolving problems in obtaining supplies
of critical materials like cement, steel and bitumen.
(vi)Contracts, which do not make reasonable progress despite all efforts are
being considered for termination to award balance work afresh.
(vii) Law and order issues are taken up with the concerned State Governments.