Steps and Schemes for Improving Road Infrastructure in India

Steps and Schemes for Improving Road Infrastructure in India

Question: To improve economic growth and progress, development of adequate infrastructure is crucial. Discuss the steps taken and schemes proposed by the NDA government to improve road infrastructure in India.

The NDA government is working towards upgrading existing roads and building new links to connect remote areas away from the mainland

• The Centre is also taking steps to improve the efficacy of surface transport by constructing 350 railway bridges and level crossings

• Some of the schemes which have been proposed for improving the state of road infrastructure are as follows:

- Sethu Bharatam: Project involves creation of 150 railway over-bridges and 204 level crossings
- Rashtriya Rajmarg Zila Sanjoyukta Pariyojana: Over 5,600 km highways will be linking 123 district HQs to NH network through this scheme
- Backward Area Highways

• Road ministry has also identified 123 district headquarters not linked to National Highways

• As part of National Highways Development Programme, roads in these stretches will be upgraded to match NH standards

• This project has been allocated funding of INR 42,913 crores in FY16 Budget

• 60% of the project cost is to come from private investors and the remaining from the government

• Another scheme for improving road networks in India is Bharatmala which is a 5,500 km stretch connecting border states

• Road development in hinterland areas is also on the anvil wherein a 2,000 km project will be linking underdeveloped areas in non Naxal belts to the NH network

• Road and tourism ministries have also prepared action plan to improve connectivity in religious pilgrimage places such as Nanded and Katra as part of a 2000 km network
Facts and Stats

• Revenue risk in projects with low anticipated traffic flow will be borne by the government

• PPP projects are also expected to boost the road infrastructure in India

• NDA government is planning to construct 30 km of highway per day by 2016-2017

• Government has averaged construction of 11 km per day after award of 7,972 km of roads in FY2015