The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has taken several new and innovative measures during the year 2014 including launching of Electronic Toll Collection system,  Special Accelerated Road Development Programme in North East, inauguration of Institute of Driving Training & Research (IDTR) at Pune and streamlining systems and processes to fast track implementation of National Highway projects. The highlights of the initiatives are as follows:

·         The Lok Sabha passed the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill 2014 to regulate E-rickshaws which would provide affordable last mile connectivity to millions of commuters including women and senior citizens and employment to poor sections of society. 

·         Delhi-Kathmandu-Delhi Bus Service has been flagged off. Both sides will be running at least one bus on daily basis. This service would further boost the relation between the two countries.

·         Electronic Toll Collection system (ETC) has been launched to facilitate seamless travel along all National Highways. 103 toll plazas out of a total of 350 have already created dedicated “Fast Tag” lanes and the balance will be completed by March, 2015. E-tolling will also reduce pollution and save fuel. The system would evolve using newer technologies and facilities like touch cards, debit cards etc in the near future which will contribute to the nation’s growth.

·         Government plans to introduce regular passenger bus services to Dhaka from Guwahati in Assam via Shillong in Meghalaya. To study and finalize the routes and start the bus services to Dhaka from Shillong and Guwahati, a joint technical survey/trial run was conducted on 10-11th December, 2014 from Guwahati to Dhaka.

·         The Ministry has initiated mega road development programme in North-East namely “Special Accelerated Road Development Programme in North East (SARDP-NE)”. As on date,  Government has given approval for 2/4 laning of 6418 km of various categories of roads under Phase ‘A’ and Arunachal Package of SARDP-NE in  entire North-East at an estimated investment of about Rs 33,500 Crore. Government has also given approval to preparation of a detailed project report for 3723 km of roads under Phase ‘B’.

·         The Government is planning to mandate the offset frontal crash test and side impact crash test norms for passenger cars. For this requisite test, facilities are being built under National Automotive Testing and Research and Development Infrastructure Project (NATRIP) initiative. Once these facilities are ready, the regulations will be implemented. To meet these regulations, majority of car manufacturers will be required to use several safety devices including air bags.

·         The Ministry has signed Memorandum of Understanding for two pilot projects for Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims – one on Vadodara-Mumbai stretch of NH-8 and the other on Ranchi-Rargaon-Mahulia (Jamshedpur) stretch of NH-33. There will be a provision for deploying GPS-fitted ambulances at every 25 kms to shift the accident victims to the nearest hospital in the shortest possible time. In case of admission to a private empanelled hospital, cashless treatment for the first 48 hours within a limit of Rs.30,000 will be provided.

·         Out of nine projects for development of road connectivity to the major ports, seven projects have been completed.

·         Government plans to promote alternative fuels and hybrid engines. Increased use of biofuels would bring down India’s crude oil import bill and also reduce pollution, as biofuels emit less carbon dioxide.

·         Institute of Driving Training & Research (IDTR) has been inaugurated at Pune. The highlight of IDTR at Pune is the camera based innovative driving testing system which will ensure a technology based assessment of the driving quality on the various tracks of the IDTR without human intervention. This technology will enable promotion of a corruption free platform for grant of driving licenses and selection of drivers ensuring the quality of the applicant.

·         Government has undertaken initiatives for streamlining systems and processes to fast track implementation of National Highway projects. Major steps taken in this regard include the following:

v  Mode of delivery through projects: The Ministry has been empowered through a cabinet decision to decide on mode of delivery of projects- PPP/EPC etc.

v  Increased threshold for project approval: The Ministry has been authorized to appraise projects upto Rs. 1000 Crores – both for PPP and EPC mode in place of earlier Rs. 500 Crores.

v  Enhanced Inter-Ministerial Coordination: An infrastructure group has been created under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Road Transport, Highways and Shipping for addressing inter-ministerial issues. Most of the issues pertaining to Ministry of Environment and Forest, Railways and Defence have been sorted out. An MoU has been signed by the Minister with the Railways on 10-11-2014 in this regard.

v  Fast track Dispute resolution: A three stage dispute resolution mechanism has been made operational at NHAI in order to expedite the process for settlement of disputes. 83 cases under 64 contract packages have been resolved so far under one time settlement.

v  Amendments to the Model Concession Agreement (MCA): Changes are on the anvil in this regard. A committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary has been empowered to make changes in the MCA as per the 11-09-2014 Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs(CCEA) decision 

·         Approximately 4000 kms. of National Highway construction has been awarded and over 2000 kms. of road construction has been completed during this period.

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MA/SA/AS