|
ROADS AND HIGHWAYS
India , having one of the largest road networks of 42.4 lakh km, consists of National Highways, Road Highways, Expressways, State Highways, Major District Roads, Other District Roads and Village Roads with the following length distribution:
National Highways/Expressways |
70,934 km |
State Highways |
1,54,522 km |
Major and Other District Roads |
25,77,396 km |
Rural Roads |
14,33,577 km |
Source: Annual Report 2010-11, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India
Road Transport
About 60% of freight and 87.4% passenger traffic is carried by road. Although National Highways constitute only about 1.7% of the road network, it carries 40% of the total road traffic. Easy availability, adaptability to individual needs and the cost savings are some of the factors which go in favour of road transport. The rapid expansion and strengthening of the road networks is imperative to provide for both present and future traffic and for improved accessibility to the hinterland. In addition, road transport needs to be regulated for better energy efficiency, less pollution and enhanced road safety. Road Development
The National Highways Development Project (NHDP), the largest highway project ever undertaken by the country is being implemented by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).
National
Highway Development Project (NHDP)
The status of implementation of a total length of 32939 km of National Highways identified by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), under various phases of National Highways Development Project (NHDP) is indicated in the table given below:
|
Corridors |
|
|
Length Under implementation
(in km) |
Balance
for award
(in km)
|
|
Golden
Quadrilateral
|
5846 |
5824 |
22 |
NIL |
|
North-South
& East-West
|
7300 |
5683 |
1038 |
421 |
|
Port
Connectivity
|
380 |
314 |
66 |
NIL |
|
NHDP Phase-III
|
12109 |
2294 |
5805 |
4010 |
Source:Department of Road
Transport & Highways
- Under NHDP Phase III, upgradation of 12,109 km of National Highways has been approved. Ii is expected to be completed by December 2013.
- NHDP Phase IV envisages upgradation of about 20,000 km of National Highways to 2-lane with paved shoulders on public private partnership (PPP) basis. The expected date of completion is December 2015.
- Under NHDP Phase V, 6-laning of 6500 km of existing 4-lane National Highways has been approved (on Design Build Finance and Operate (DBFO) basis). 443 km has been complete till December 2010. The phase is expected to be completed by December 2012.
- NHDP Phase VI envisages development of 1000 km fully accessed controlled expressways under public private partnership (PPP) model following DBPO approach. The expected date of completion of the phase is December 2015.
Tolling
During the financial year 2010-11, a total length of 2871 km of National Highways has been targeted for tolling. Further, the revenue targeted for the year 2010-11 was US$ 327.6 million. Up to December 2010, 849 km length had already been brought under tolling and US$ 307.8 million had been collected as user fee. In order to improve toll management and revenue collection, NHAI has initiated action for engagement of fee collection agencies through competitive bidding.
|
