Gadkari reviews progress of 5 expressways & 17 access controlled NHs

Expressway and national highway projects

Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways and MSME, Nitin Gadkari has reviewed the status of award, bidding and pre-construction activities related to five greenfield expressways and 17 access controlled greenfield national highways under the Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase - I.

These 22 greenfield Projects are 8,000 km long and are expected to cost ₹3.26 Lakh Crores. These are proposed as the key to improving logistics efficiency by providing seamless connectivity between centres of production and consumption of industrial and MSME products in the country. They will help in faster movement of passenger and freight traffic in the country.

A detailed presentation on the present status of Award, Bidding, and hindrances related to pre-construction activities especially Land Acquisition, Environmental Clearance/Forest Clearance was made by NHAI before the Minister who emphasized that issues related to various State Governments may be sorted out quickly and wherever required, the state-specific matter may be taken up at his level.

Gadkari also emphasised on timely monetization of projects after completion as well as value capture by developing facilities for road users along the upcoming Highways. He directed that stringent monitoring of the target dates of award of projects and scheduled dates of completion be done without any compromise with the quality of work to develop world-class Highway infrastructure.