About 1,01,900 km National Highways (NHs) have been constructed/developed since April, 2014 to December, 2024.

Average annual construction of NHs have increased by about 130% during the period 2014-2024 as compared to 2004-2014.

Presently 1,366 projects having total length of about 32,366 km are under construction (appointed/commenced) in the entire country, including in the States of Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and all North-Eastern States, without attaining any of the various stages of project completion and excluding projects under consideration for termination/foreclosure. Most of these projects are targeted to be completed in phases by Financial Year 2028.

Construction works on NHs are carried out as per the standards including quality and safety standards specified by Government for Road and Bridge Works and Indian Roads Congress (IRC) codes, guidelines and special publications. It is the primary responsibility of the contractor/concessionaire to execute the works adhering with such specifications and standards.

Also, requirement of road safety is taken care of in all stages of project cycle, i.e., design, construction, operation and maintenance. Road safety audit is carried out at the design stage of NH improvement and upgradation projects to ensure that the design meets the safety standards. During construction stage, construction zone safety measures are provided for safe movement of traffic. During the operation stage, road safety audit is periodically carried out to ensure that the road safety measures as originally provided are in proper shape and to assess additional requirement of safety measures, if any.

To ensure that the works are executed as per prescribed specifications and standards by the contractor/concessionaire, consultants (Authority's Engineer/Independent Engineer) are appointed. Officials of executing agencies also carry out quality checks of the works on random basis. In some specific works, executing agencies also engage third party quality Auditors. Deficiencies, if any, observed during such examination/inspection are brought to the notice of the concessionaire/contractor for necessary rectification/reconstruction/replacement.

The above procedures are applicable to all NH works in the country including those in Chhattisgarh.

Jalore and Sirohi districts' headquarters in the State of Rajasthan are connected with existing NH network (NH-325 & NH-62).

This information was given by the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha today.

 

*****

G.D. Hallikeri/Henry

(Release ID: 2100382) Visitor Counter : 527