NEW DELHI: The construction and widening of national highways in 2022-23 was around 10,500 km, falling 16% short of the government’s target of 12,500 km. Extended spells of rain and unseasonal showers impacted construction activities, officials said.
However, highway agencies surpassed their target of awarding projects, achieving the 11,500-km mark. A large chunk of projects were bid out in the past two months. Sources said the “certified figures” on construction and project disbursements will be released next week.
So far, the highest-ever construction and expansion of NHs were in 2020-21 when the government achieved 36.5 km per day and clocked 13,327 km.
The government has made the highest-ever allocation of Rs 2.7 lakh crore to the road transport and highways ministry for 2023-24. Sources said the government has decided to focus more on completing ongoing highway projects during this year. A lot of the emphasis will be on completing delayed works by March 2024.
Highway development, railway projects and new trains are the most tangible works for any government in power. In fact, the railways is also focusing on rolling out more modern trains and taking up station redevelopment and upgradation projects.
Sources said in a recent presentation before the council of ministers chaired by PM Modi, the industrial promotion department (DPIIT) had detailed which projects can be completed in the next one year. The Lok Sabha polls are scheduled early next year.
TOI has learnt that the DPIIT had given details about the likely delays in completion of ongoing projects. Sources said these delays are being monitored and projects have been colour coded as red, amber and green.
Source: The Times of India
