Government for better upkeep of highways

Indian Express reports

BHUBANESWAR: With the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) neglecting its roads within the State, the Government on Tuesday urged the Centre for up-gradation, maintenance and modernisation of the

highways.

The issue was raised at a meeting attended by Union Secretary for Road Transport and Highways AK Upadhyaya here.

The State Government urged the Union Secretary for maintenance of roads entrusted to NHAI, construction of additional roadways along NH-60, renovation of the bridge over the Jira river on NH-6 near Bargarh and construction of by-pass roads in congested location.

Chief Secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik requested Upadhyaya for expeditious completion of the highway projects taken up by NHAI and declaration of new projects for the State.

He further suggested that maintenance of more highways be handed over to the public works department (PWD) and more funds allocated to the State under the Central Road Fund (CRF) for 2011-12.

National Highways pass through 27 districts of the State touching 23 district headquarters with a total length of 3,704 km. Out of this 2,633.40 km are with State PWD and 1,070.60 km with NHAI.

The Ministry has sanctioned eight consultancy projects worth ` 15.26 crore for preparation of detailed project report (DPR) for up-gradation of 530.79 km of NH. Another seven projects for double-laning of 221.97 km at an estimated cost of ` 581.69 crore have also been sanctioned.

The review showed that the Centre had released of ` 507.98 crore under CRF against 151 roads and 21 bridges. Out of this, 132 roads and 21 bridges have been completed with utilisation of ` 478.20 crore and work on 19 road projects is in progress.

The State has also sought ` 50 crore for repair and restoration of the

highways damaged in the recent floods.

Development Commissioner RN Senapati requested for rationalisation of distance between toll plazas, collection of user fees and shifting of toll gates within 10 km distance of municipal area on NH-5 and NH-5A.

The need for development of public amenities like rest sheds, toilets, restaurants at regular interval of 50 km and setting up of modern trauma care centres at strategic locations on the highway were also highlighted in the meeting.

The NH Officers were advised to make district-wise segregation of land acquisition requirement so that each segment can be separately taken up with the respective district administrations.