(a) whether most of the National Highway Projects are lagging behind the schedule as reported in The Hindustan dated April 7, 2006;
(b) if so, the details in this regard, project-wise;
(c) the reaction of the Government to the proposal of Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to remove the hurdles being faced by the National Highway Projects?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING, ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI K. H. MUNIYAPPA)
(a) and (b) Despite constraints such as acquisition of land, forest and environment clearances, removal of utilities, law & order problems, poor performance of some contractors etc., the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) is not running far behind the schedule. The status of the project as on 30.04.2006 is enclosed as Annexure-I.
(c) It has been decided by the Government that the projects for which bids were invited prior to 27.10.2005, would be exempted from the purview of Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC). However, projects for which bids are invited subsequently would be subject to clearance from PPPAC.
(d) The steps taken to remove the hurdles being faced in implementation of National Highways Development Projects are enclosed as Annexure-II.