Question : GOLDEN QUADRILATERAL PROJECT

(a) whether the Government is aware of the difficulties and obstacles to acquire enough land for the construction of the National Project of Golden Quadrilateral and its corridor ways in the country;

(b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to tackle the difficulties;

(c) the latest status of the Golden Quadrilateral Project linking Delhi-Mumbai-Chennai and Kolkata;

(d) the target date for completion of the project;

(e) the original estimated cost and the cost of escalation due to delayed implementation of the project; and

(f) the revised target date by when the route will become operational?

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

(a) to (f) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 34 FOR ANSWER ON 2ND MARCH 2005 ASKED BY SHRI M. SHIVANNA AND SHRI KHARABELA SWAIN REGARDING GOLDEN QUADRILATERAL PROJECT.

(a) Yes sir.

(b) The following steps have been taken to tackle the difficulties:

(i)	On the request of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), State Governments have	nominated nodal officers at the level of Commissioner/Secretary/Principal Secretary to	resolve the problems related to the National Highways Development Project including problems	associated with land acquisition. The regular follow up meetings are held with the State	Government officials and with nodal officers.

(ii)	The funds for compensation to be paid to land owners is made at the disposal of the Competent	Authority who determines the quantum of compensation in advance in order to avoid delay in	payment of compensation to land owners.

(iii)	In some cases where specific problems are faced, the matter is taken up at the highest level	in the State Government.

(i)	Total length	-	5,846 km

(ii)	Completed	-	4,480 km

(iii)	Under implementation	-	1,366 km