Govt expects Rs 2.20 lakh cr for road projs by 2012

COIMBATORE: The Centre is anticipating an investment of Rs 2.20 lakh crore for the modernisation and upgrading of highways in the country by 2012, Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T R Baalu said.

The four-laning of the Golden quadrilateral has not only been nearly completed, but a programme for six-laning the entire quadrilateral has been approved, Baalu told reporters after inaugurating the 3rd edition of Build Expo-2007, here.

Besides taking up a total of 14,300 KM of quadrilateral and corridors, the ministry is also taking up four laning of 10,000 KM in the third phase, 2,000 KM of two-ways, 6,500 KM of six-ways, 1,000 KM of Expressways and various railway over and under bridges and ground separators.

All these projects were expected to be completed by 2012 in the 11th plan, Baalu said.

Since the government was planning to develop 76 new berths at ports an investment programme of rs.55,800 crore was also envisaged by 2012, in which private-public partnerships were expected to play a dominant role, he said.

When pointed out on reports of a driller of the dredger breaking, affecting dredging work on the Sethusamudram channel project, Baalu said this was a routine affair during a large project. The welding on the dredger was loosened, which would be set right within 10 days after it was sent to Kochi.