June 24:The Centre has asked states to send their priority road projects for speedy clearance and implementation. Inaugurating the Conference of State Highway ministers in New Delhi on Tuesday, the Union Road Transport and Highways Minister, Mr T R Baalu, said this is important to ensure better road connectivity across the country. He said the government is committed to all round development of road network in the country.
Expressing concern over increasing number of road accidents, Mr. Baalu said there is an urgent need for maintaining proper sinages, particularly in hilly areas, to reduce road accidents. He said that the states could send their priority road projects to the Centre before August. He also asked them to ensure that the funds allocated are utilized substantially by October so that demand for additional allocation can be made at Revised Estimate stage.
Stating that the projects under the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) involve a number of pre-construction activities like land acquisition, shifting of utilities, forest clearances and other approvals from various agencies, the minister said delays in these activities have become serious bottlenecks in achieving timely completion of the projects. In this context, the Minister stressed the need that the states give utmost priority to the road safety.
The Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Mr K H Muniyappa, said road connectivity and transportation are the core areas which play a vital role in the economic development of the country. He said the Centre has a vision to develop and complete 66,500 of roads under National Highway Development Project (NHDP).