Question : DILAPIDATED CONDITION OF NATIONAL HIGHWAYS

(a) whether the periodic check of the condition of national highways is undertaken by the Government;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether long stretches on several national highways including National Highway No. 28 are in dilapidated condition;

(d) if so, the details thereof alongwith the reasons for not undertaking timely repair work thereon;

(e) whether any inquiry has been conducted in this regard;

(f) if so, the outcome thereof; and

(g) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government for early repair of these highways?

THE MINISTER OF SHIPPING, ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI T.R.BAALU)

(a) to (g) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (g) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.185 FOR ANSWER ON 06.12.2005 ASKED BY SHRI ALOK KUMAR MEHTA REGARDING DELAPIDATED CONDITION OF NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
(a) & (b) National Highways are inspected regularly including pre-monsoon and post-monsoon inspections and their repair and maintenance are undertaken depending upon their condition and availability of funds.
(c) Some long stretches of National Highways are found to be in distressed condition. However, National Highway number 28 is in traffic worthy condition.
(d) The distressed stretches have got the following deficiencies:

(i) Inherent deficiencies like inadequate width, insufficient pavement thickness, poor geometrics, weak, narrow and distressed bridges/culverts etc. in the section of State roads declared as National Highways in 9th and 10th Plan Period.

(ii) Rutting, cracking, pot holes, ravelling etc.

(iii) Eroded berms/embankments etc. Immediate repair works on these National Highways are carried out to make the road trafficable within the available resources.
(e) No Sir.
(f) Does not arise.
(g) Apart from repair of highways damaged due to rains, floods, wear and tear due to movement of traffic etc., permanent remedial measures based on assessment of initial deficiencies and damages are also carried out on National Highways as per inter-se priorities and availability of funds.