Road construction improves marginally to 11 km per day

NEW DELHI: UPA-2 has achieved road construction target of 10.39 kilometre per day during 2011-12. During 2011-2012 as against a target of 2500 km of National Highways, the National Highways Authority of India ( NHAI) has completed construction of 2248 km, which is 6.16 km per day.

In addition, the ministry has also completed construction of 1547 km, which is 4.2 kms per day of National Highways through State PWDs & Border Roads Organization.

Highway projects have a gestation period of about three years from the date of start of the work.

NHAI awarded only 5,237 km during period 2007-08 to 2009-10. The comparatively lower quantum of award in previous years affected the completion rate.

"Progress in implementation has also been affected by poor performance of some contractors, delay in obtaining wildlife clearances from Ministry of Environment & Forest, railway clearances, law & order problems in some states, delay in land acquisition," said Jitin Prasada, Minister of State of Road, Transport and Highways.

NHAI has begun the process of accelerating the pace of award of projects to achieve the target of construction.

NHAI awarded 5,059 km in 2010-11 and 6491 km in 2011-12. Target for the award of projects by NHAI for the year 2012-13 is 8800 km.

"In order to expedite implementation of projects Regional Offices each headed by Chief General Managers have been set up by NHAI for close monitoring of implementation of projects," said Prasada.