Many highway projects remain struck
UPA-II is focusing on upcoming elections with a poor performance in the highway development. The government’s target is to construct 20 Kms per day but they were able to develop only 11 Kms per day which is worst performance since 2008-09.
The total tally of highway construction till March 31 is calculated at nearly 4, 000 km with NHAI developing half of it. The last year tally was 5, 732 km, which is the highest ever.
A source of Highway ministry says that the manner in which highway construction went on since 2008-09, they were able to achieve 20 Kms target but now, large number of projects are stuck even after these were awarded over two years ago. It will take 2 to 3 years to complete the highway development.
It is not likely to be better during the financial year 2013-14 because very few projects have been awarded during this period and there is no chance whether the stuck projects will take off even after the UPA government came out with some partial relief for projects. Both NHAI and the ministry awarded only 3, 170 km during 2013-14.
NHAI official says that they have few stretches where work is under progress and the completion is likely to be less. But there is hint that dozens of projects getting bid out soon after the formation of new government.
Source: The Times of India
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