Question : TARGET FOR CONSTRUCTION OF NATIONAL HIGHWAYS

(a) whether the Government has achieved the target of construction of 20 kms. of National Highways (NHs) per day;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise and NH-wise in the country during each of the last three years;

(c) if not, the reasons therefor alongwith the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard;

(d) the details of funds allocated/sanctioned/utilised for the same during the said period, State-wise and NH-wise;

(e) whether the Government is considering to decentralise NHAI so as to ensure effective supervision and timely implementation of NH projects; and

(f) if so, the details thereof alongwith the action taken or proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a) No Madam.

(b) Does not arise.

(c) Highway projects have a gestation period of about 3 years from the date of inception. To meet the target of construction at an average rate of 20 km per day i.e. almost 7000 km per year, it is essential that at any given point of time, there should be almost three times this length i.e. approximately 21,000 km awarded and under construction. To achieve the same Ministry/NHAI has begun the process of accelerating the pace of award of projects.

(d) Presently projects are awarded predominantly on BOT (Toll) / BOT (Annuity) mode under which the concessionaires incur the expenditure from their own resources. Hence, allocation of funds does not arise.

(e) & (f) Yes Madam. In order to speed up the implementation of projects mandated to NHAI by the Government and for ensuring better and closer liaison with the State Governments to expedite the project related pre-construction activities, 6 Zonal Offices each headed by the Executive Director (ED) and the 14 Regional Offices each headed by Chief General Manager (CGM) at various locations in the country have been identified per details enclosed as annex.