Progress of works of National Highways
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15:58 IST
LOK SABHA

Under the National Highways Development Programme (NHDP), 14 projects have been awarded so far in the financial year 2009-10. This includes 3 each in Rajasthan and Maharashtra , 2 each in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and one each in Jharkhand, Punjab, Karnataka and Bihar. The total projected cost of all the 14 projects is Rs.11908.32 crores and they cover a total length of 1289.13 km. While in the last financial year (2008-09), 8 projects were awarded, the number of projects awarded in 2007-08 was 14 and those in 2006-07 was 38.

This information was provided by Shri R.P.N.Singh, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways in Lok Sabha today.

The Minister also informed that 99% of Golden Quadrilateral project would be completed by March 2010. The work of 4/6 laning of North South-East West corridor will be completed by December 2010 and 6 laning of Golden Quadrilateral and high density corridor will be completed by December.2012.

In order to expedite implementation of projects, regional offices have been set up by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) headed by Chief General Managers to monitor land acquisition matters as well as implementation of projects. 72 Special Land Acquisition Units (SLAUs) have also been set up in various states to expedite land acquisition. State Governments have been requested to appoint Chief Secretaries as Nodal officers for NHDP projects. Projects are also closely and periodically reviewed at Headquarters as well as field units.

RS:PM