RoadMin awaits Plan panel nod to set up Expressways Authority

The draft for formation of Expressways Authority of India (EAI) on the pattern of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is being evaluated by the Planning Commission, a top Road Transport and Highways Ministry official said.

By PTI | Jul 08, 2010, 03.00 PM IST

NEW DELHI: The Transport Ministry is awaiting the Planning Commission's nod for establishing the proposed Expressways Authority of India, a nodal body to facilitate building of over 18,000 km of roads catering to high-speed traffic at a cost of about Rs 4,50,000 crore.

The draft for formation of Expressways Authority of India (EAI) on the pattern of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is being evaluated by the Planning Commission, a top Road Transport and Highways Ministry official told media.

The government plans to build 18,637 km of expressways in three phases by 2022 an at estimated investment of about Rs 4,50,000 crore.

"Planning Commission is examining the draft. We had discussions with them," the official said.

Expressways are high density corridors that facilitate faster flow of traffic between two destinations.

The government had earlier proposed a nationwide network of expressways. The final master plan envisages the construction of 18,637 km of expressways at a cost of Rs 18 crore per km for a four-lane project and Rs 25.5 crore per km for a six-lane project.

The Road Transport and Highways Ministry in December, 2008, had hired a consultant for formulating the master plan for the national expressway network in a phased manner, which was accepted by the government.

The 11th Five-Year Plan (2007-12) also suggests setting up the EAI to formulate and implement expressways under the master plan.

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