The Hindu Business Line : Infrastructure panel clears highway expansion project

THE Prime Minister's Committee on Infrastructure today cleared a mega expansion of the ongoing highways upgradation programme, entailing an expected investment of about Rs 1,70,000 crore over the next seven years.

"Besides the two phases of the ongoing National Highways Development Project, we are planning to implement a third phase covering 10,000 km of roads connecting State capitals to NHDP. Connectivity of ports and heritage sites is also envisaged," the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, told newspersons.

"A third phase entailing two-laning of 20,000 km of roads, along with the expansion of the NHDP to six-lanes where there is crowding, is being planned," he added. He said the Government is planning to fund the scheme through a mix of budgetary support and external assistance, while the exact funding mechanism was still to be worked out. The NHAI would also be strengthened and it would be encouraged to tap the markets, he said. The Government is also developing a model concession agreement for build, operate, transfer projects, which would be ready by April this year, he added.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Infrastructure panel clears highway expansion project

No move to cap FII inflows, reiterates Chidambaram

TCS posts Rs 643-cr net in Q3

Redemption of 10.5 pc special securities to hit NSSF income

Markets bounce back; Sensex up 118 points

R.H. Patil to head UTI AMC

TRAI pegs unified licence fee at Rs 180 cr — Three categories of licensing introduced

Contributions to The Hindu Relief Fund