Government to construct 1,000 km expressways

NEW DELHI: The government plans to construct 1,000 km expressways under the National Highway Development Project including the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway, Parliament was informed today.

"These (proposed) expressways including Delhi-Jaipur Expressway are at feasibility stage. Delhi-Jaipur Expressway is not found viable on BOT (Build, Own, Operate) Toll mode and different financing options are being worked out," Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Pon Radhakrishnan said in written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

The minister said in some highway projects, there are local problems in availability of land. The issue is being addressed with the support of respective state governments.

Replying to another question, the minister said that some national highway projects including Bihar are not completed within the scheduled time mainly due to land acquisition, poor performance of contractors, want of environment and forest clearance etc.

"The government is making all attempts to fast track the projects facing delays," he said.

The government has launched major initiatives to upgrade and strengthen 54,478 km of national highways through various phases of the National Highway Development Project, the minister said.