Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari has said that five banks have committed to provide ₹2.5 trillion finance for road and highway projects. NHAI has over 480 bankable projects as its toll operate and transfer (TOT) model has been very successful. The ministry is also stressing the need for insurance of infrastructure projects and contemplating a Motor Vehicle Accident Fund for hit and run cases. Countries like Canada, Australia, USA, South Africa and UK are already following the practice of insuring infrastructure projects. Expressing concern over the high number (5 lakh) of road accidents per year in which 1.5 lakh people are killed every year, the minister said that the death rate can be brought down drastically. FIRs will be lodged against those behind faulty DPRs and non-performing officials in the road sector will be shown the door.
