27.1.13

NHAI hopes to build 2900 km in 2012-13


National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) expects to build at least 2,800-2,900 km highways under the NH Development Programme during 2012-13, which will be the highest ever completion in the authority’s history. The maximum NH construction record so far has been 2,693 km in 2009-10.
According to officials, the highways minister C P Joshi has asked the authority to achieve its internal target of 3,000 km by March-end and to expedite construction on small pending stretches so that large corridors can be brought under “completion” category.
Till December, NHAI has constructed around 1,650 km. Officials claimed that the pace of construction usually increase during this period and the fresh target can be achieved.
This could be a little compensation for the authority, which has failed to meet the target for awarding projects due to poor response from bidders. The ministry and NHAI will also work out a plan to ensure that concessionaires have a long stretch available to undertake construction instead of getting lands in small patches. “If we get 60-70% contiguous land without any pending clearance or problem, the construction will be faster,” said a private concessionaire.

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