Govt. clears Rs. 250-cr road project

Adding momentum to the road building process across the country, the Union Road Transport and Highways ministry granted in-principle approval to give Rs. 250-cr for wildlife mitigation measures on NH-7 between Mansar and Khawasa, in Madhya Pradesh, said official sources, adding that National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) will clear drawings and designs that are being finalized, and will be sent for approval in 10 days. However, estimates are being worked out but the major share of the funds will go for wildlife mitigation measures to take care of any possible adverse impact on tiger population in Pench-Kanha tiger corridor. The official said that among other things, funds will be used to construct three additional mitigating structures (two underpasses of 750m and one of 300m length) proposed by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), said official sources.