For undertaking the work, the government has set up a team. "For this purpose, the Ministry has already set up a PPP Cell headed by a Chief Engineer," Baalu said while speaking at the Conference of the Ministers in charge of the Highways in the States.
Emphasis is required to be given for widening of National Highways to a minimum of two-lane standards within the 11th and the 12th Five Year Plan periods with about 19,700 kms of the total of 68,354 kms of National Highways are lower than two-lane standards, Baalu said.
An allocation of Rs 1,931.29 crore has been made in the Annual Plan 2008-09 for the states for National Highways (Original) works.
An additional Rs 210 crore has also been allocated to National Highways Authority of India for works under NH(O) during 2008-09.
Unlike in previous years, the allocations to the States are being released in phases during the current year considering their requirements and the progress of expenditure incurred so as to avoid surrender of funds by the states at a later stage, the Minister said.
He, therefore, urged the states to ensure that the funds allocated are utilised substantially by October, 2008 so that demand for additional allocation can be made at revised estimate stage.
