Question : Widening of National Highways

(a) the status report regarding extension and widening of National Highways in the country, State-wise;

(b) the length of National Highways (NHs) targeted to be converted into four/six/eight lanes during the last three years and the current year, State-wise;

(c) the funds allocated/spent by the Government for this purpose, project-wise and State-wise;

(d) the total length of roads converted into four/six/eight lanes so far, State-wise; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to speedy completion of such project?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)
(a) to (d) State-wise details of ongoing projects of extension/widening of National Highways in the country are at Annexure-I. No separate targets and allocations are fixed for four/six/eight lanes of National Highways. However the State wise length completed is indicated at Annexure-II.

(e) To expedite completion of these projects various steps are taken which include streamlining of land acquisition/statutory clearances, award of projects after ensuring acquisition of land and obtaining all regulatory approvals for the project to avoid post-bid delays and litigations, Provision for Exit for Equity Investors, Premium re-schedulement, Securitization of road sector loans, Mutual termination /Cancellation of awarded road projects stalled due to various reasons and re-bidding, Close coordination with other Ministries, Revamping of Dispute Resolution mechanism, harmonious substitution of the Concessionaire, frequent reviews at various levels etc.