(a) whether the Government is planning any coastal connectivity roads to facilitate better connectivity with ports and remote villages;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government is planning any specific programme for the development of multi-modal logistics parks along with multi modal transport facilities; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)
(a)&(b) Yes Madam. The Cabinet has accorded approval to the investment proposal for the programme Bharatmala Pariyojana (BMP) Phase I on 24.10.2017 for development/upgradation of 34,800 km of National Highways (NHs) with an outlay of Rs 5,35,000 crore over a five year period i.e. from 2017-18 to 2021-22.
There are six components under this approved programme apart from balance works under the ongoing National Highways Development Project (NHDP). Details are as follows:
i. Economic Corridors 9,000 km
ii. Inter corridors and Feeder Roads 6,000 km
iii. National Corridors Efficiency Improvement 5,000 km
iv. Border and International Connectivity Roads 2,000 km
v. Coastal and Port Connectivity Roads 2,000 km
vi. Expressways 800 km
Total: 24,800 km
Balance works under NHDP 10,000 km
Total for Phase I 34,800 km
Under the component ‘Coastal and Port Connectivity Roads’ of BMP Phase I, coastal roads shall be built along the coast of India for boosting tourism and industrial development of the coastal region. Further, port connectivity roads have been identified to facilitate EXIM trade with an emphasis to improve connectivity to non-major ports. The roads identified have been synergized with the Sagarmala programme. 2,000 kms of such projects shall be taken up under this component of BMP Phase I.
BMP Phase I shall enable to connect 550 districts in the country through NH linkages as against the current 300 districts. This will facilitate connectivity to remote villages.
(c)&(d) Yes Madam. Under the component ‘National Corridors Efficiency Improvement’ of BMP Phase I, Multi Modal Logisitcs Parks shall be developed at strategic locations across the country to enhance logistics efficiency. 35 such locations have been identified through a recently concluded study on ‘Logistics Efficiency Enhancement Program (LEEP)’ under World Bank Technical Assistance (TA). Out of these 35 locations, feasibility studies have been started for 2 locations i.e. Vijaywada and Chennai under World Bank assistance and for 2 locations i.e. Bangalore and Guwahati under Asian Development Bank (ADB) assistance. More such projects shall be taken up shortly.
In addition, Multi Modal passenger transport facilities in the form of Inter Modal Stations (IMS) are also envisaged to be developed at two locations – Varanasi and Nagpur. These projects have been identified through a recent study on ‘Passenger Mobility Enhancement (PME)’ under World Bank TA. The detailed project reports are under preparation for both locations.
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