The government is confident of achieving the target of constructing 30 km per day, as the roads and highways sector shows signs of revival and private investment interest in projects on PPP mode.
This year, per day construction of highways was close to 16 km until August-end against last year’s record of 13 km whereas last year it was 13 km.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), spokesperson Vikas Swarup said the PM has set a target of constructing 30 km of roads per day, increasing it from the current 13 km per day. Road transport and highways ministry officials said that by April, the construction would be 17-18 km per day and will be increased during the next fiscal year.
Investor interest in roads and highways sector has grown in recent months after the government resolved four major issues responsible for stalled projects or slow progress.
Land acquisition has been expedited and in the first five months of this financial year 4,272 sq km have been acquired.
“In August, we acquired 1,620 km, which is a rare case. People are now taking the compensation since there is clarity on the applicability of new Land Acquisition Act,” said an NHAI official.
Road and Highways Minister, Nitin Gadkari said that his focus is on monitoring and resolving issues on the ground, which will accelerate the pace of construction.
Officials said that maintaining the speed of awarding projects for the next two-three years will help to achieve the 30 km per day target.
Last year about 8,000 km was awarded for upgradation or expansion, and this year the target is at least 10,000 km. “Total construction in a year depends on how much has been awarded in the past three years. This means, if we can keep awarding about 10,000 km a year, we will be able to achieve the 30 km target in the next two years,” said a ministry official.
Considering that monitoring and quick resolution of issues pertaining to individual projects is another major roadblock for faster completion of projects, Gadkari has also directed all senior officials of his ministry, NHAI and NHIDCL, to spend eight days a month in the field.
“We have no dearth of funds as well. Even we may not need to raise the entire Rs 42,000 crore through bonds during this year, as we still have enough of funds.The plan to sell completed highway projects is likely to generate Rs 50,000 crore and that can be used for taking up more projects on government funding mode,” sources said.
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