NHAI to widen 15k-km economically vital corridors

In order to push the economic efficiency of highways, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has identified 15,000 km of roads to be widen from two-lanes to four-lanes by connecting points that have been left out historically, Chairman, Raghav Chandra said, elaborating that on this score NHAI will work with states and ministries to identify the problematic spots at various check posts where multiple agencies collect various tolls like excise and forest, among others, so that they can be streamlined and rationalized. As a matter of fact, these points normally get low priority due to poor budgeting on the part of concerned state government. The developers being incentivized, not just construct a road but also maintain it for the life-cycle of the concession of the contract. Mumbai to Kolkata corridor can be made more efficient by creating a new connection of about 665 km as the road transcends from 4 lane to 2 lane at multiple stretches which needs to be rationalized, which will aid the traffic to move more efficiently and faster, he added.