The big bang Highways construction plan
By S K Khanna
In a master stroke to bridge the physical infrastructure deficit in the road and highway sector, the government has unveiled its biggest ever plan involving Rs.6.92 lakh-crore to construct 83,877 km of roads and highways in the next 5 years.
The plan more ambitious than its earlier NHDP, involves construction of thousands of km of roads, highways, Greenfield expressways, and bridges in phases through economic corridors on manufacturing, feeder routes, coastal and port connectivity of roads across the country to boost economic activity with multiplier impact on the construction and industrial sector.
Interacting with the author on the subject, Dr. Visvesvaraya, the former vice-chancellor, Rourkee University and a national and international project management expert, said that the above plan is appropriately complimented and supported by other recent developments like recapitalization of banks and India getting World Bank stamp on ease of doing business.
While the recapitalization of PSU Banks could spur genuine long-term infra lending to upcoming or stalled mega infra projects, India leapfrogging on the World Bank’s ease of doing business rankings, could pump in fresh fund flow and promote advanced technology transfer to the construction sector, he added.
Economic benefits of the plan
The plan more ambitious than its earlier NHDP, involves construction of thousands of km of roads, highways, Greenfield expressways, and bridges in phases through economic corridors on manufacturing, feeder routes, coastal and port connectivity of roads across the country to boost economic activity with multiplier impact on the construction and industrial sector.
Interacting with the author on the subject, Dr. Visvesvaraya, the former vice-chancellor, Rourkee University and a national and international project management expert, said that the above plan is appropriately complimented and supported by other recent developments like recapitalization of banks and India getting World Bank stamp on ease of doing business.
While the recapitalization of PSU Banks could spur genuine long-term infra lending to upcoming or stalled mega infra projects, India leapfrogging on the World Bank’s ease of doing business rankings, could pump in fresh fund flow and promote advanced technology transfer to the construction sector, he added.
Economic benefits of the plan
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