(a) whether the Government has reviewed the status of the on-going works of National Highways (NHs) in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has identified the need to speed up the works of the NHs in the country;
(d) the names of the States in which NHs work is lagging behind along with the reasons therefor; and
(e) the steps being taken by the Government to augment the works for its early completion?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)
(a) to (c) 1,837 numbers of projects amounting to Rs. 6,45,199 Crore having length 61164 km are ongoing for the development of National Highways in the country and they are all being reviewed in regular review meetings which are held in Head Quarter as well as in Regional Offices by Ministry / NHAI / NHIDCL’s Officials, concessionaires /contractors to speed up the construction.
(d) to (e) The details of the delayed projects are given at Annexure-I. National Highway projects are delayed mainly due to land acquisition, utility shifting, non-availability of soil/aggregate, poor performance of contractors, environment/forest/wildlife clearances, ROB & RUB issues with Railways, public agitation for additional facilities, arbitration/contractual disputes with contractors etc. In order to ensure timely completion of the projects, regular meetings are held with project developers, State Governments and contractors. To expedite completion of these projects various steps are also taken which include streamlining of land acquisition & environment clearances, exit for equity investors, premium re-scheduling, close coordination with other Ministries, revamping of dispute resolution mechanism, frequent reviews at various levels etc.