Road ministry to deploy aircraft to monitor highway projects

NEW DELHI: To monitor implementation of highway projects specially in tough terrains, the Road Transport and Highways Ministry is set to acquire or hire an 8 to 10 seater aircraft.

The development comes at a time when the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways plans to enhance the road building capacity to 100 km a day in the long run and 30 km a day by March end besides having massive projects.

"National Highways Authority of India has invited proposals for consultancy services for preparation of feasibility report for acquisition, hiring or taking on rent a fixed wing 8 to 10 seater aircraft with twin engines," an official told PTI.

He said the government plans to station the aircraft at Delhi adding that the proposal for preparation of feasibility report has been invited by January 15.

The step is aimed at effective monitoring of projects in far-flung difficult terrains, the official informed.

Earlier, the Ministry had discussed the issue with Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Civil Aviation, he said.

The government had recently announced to build a network of 1,000-km highway on a new alignment to link the 'Chardham' at a cost of Rs 11,000 crore.

Also, on the anvil is a 1,000 km highway project to connect the Buddha Circuit in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari last week said the government is set to award projects worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore by March.