Govt may set up Rs 1.2K cr fund to upgrade highways

NEW DELHI: In a move to expedite highway development, the ministry of shipping, road transport and highways has proposed a Rs 1,200-crore dedicated fund for widening and upgrading single-lane highways.

Out of the 66,302 km of national highways (NHs) in the country, 16,876 or 25.45% highways are single-lane. The average cost per km for widening single-lane highway is estimated at around Rs 1.2 crore.

“Out of Rs 2,395 crore under NH(O), Rs 1,200 crore may be kept exclusively for widening of single and intermediate lanes to two-lanes,” an official in the road transport department said.

In its annual plan provision for 2008-09 sent to the Planning Commission for approval, NH(O) has a provision of Rs 2,395 crore for state public works departments (PWDs).

The government would select various stretches for upgradation on the basis of commercial traffic. It also plans to give preference to single-lane highways over the intermediate lane.