India has one of the largest road networks in the
world, consisting of- National Highways (NH), State Highways (SH), Major
District Roads (MDR) and Rural Roads that include other district roads and
village roads. The NH with a length of 76,818 km comprises only 2.0 per cent of
the road network but carry 40 per cent of the road-based traffic. The SH and
the MDRs together constitute the secondary system of road transportation which contributes
significantly to the development of the rural economy and industrial growth of
the country. The secondary system also carries about 40 per cent of the total
road traffic, although it constitutes about 13 per cent of the total road
length.
At the tertiary level are the Other District Roads
(ODRs) and the Rural Roads (RRs). These, once adequately developed and
maintained, hold the potential to provide rural connectivity vital for
generating higher agricultural incomes and productive employment opportunities
besides promoting access to economic and social services.
In recent years special efforts have been made by
the central government to strengthen the National Highway and also to improve
rural road connectivity. Despite this, the road network remains grossly
inadequate in various respects. It is unable to handle high traffic density and
high speeds at many places and has poor riding quality. It is necessary to
accelerate completion of ongoing projects, including expressways besides speedy
implementation of the Golden Quadrilateral (GQ) and the North-South and
East-West (NS-EW) corridors and also to address the deterioration of large
stretches of the NH.
Review
of the Eleventh Plan
Against
the outlay of around INR 1, 92,428 crore in the Eleventh Plan for the road
sector, the anticipated expenditure was INR. 1, 58,077 crore (at current
prices). The phase-wise length completed under NHDP is shown below:
State Roads Progress during the Eleventh Plan
|
|
Lane wise Length of SH in 2007 (km)
|
Lane wise Length of SH in 2011 (km)
|
||||||
|
|
Total Length
|
SL/IL
|
2 Lane
|
4 Lane and above
|
Total Length
|
SL/IL
|
2 Lane
|
4 Lane and above
|
|
States
|
1,50,492
|
1,11,850
|
36,349
|
2,293
|
1,65,724
|
1,00,819
|
60,747
|
4,157
|
|
UTs
|
221
|
145
|
56
|
20
|
405
|
230
|
63
|
112
|
|
Total
|
1,50,713
|
11,995
|
36,405
|
2,313
|
1,66,129
|
1,01,049
|
60,811
|
4,269
|
The NHDP
programme will be funded primarily through PPP, a policy which had been
initiated in the Eleventh Plan. For this purpose, a VGF of 40 per cent is
provided in the Road Sector, including 20 per cent from the cess on petrol and
diesel, which is available with the NHAI. It is proposed to continue and
further strengthen the PPP construction and build BOT (Toll) roads. It is also
proposed to strengthen and improve the existing framework; specifically these
will be further expanded for construction of roads by the State Governments.
Some Major
Initiatives in the Twelfth Plan
Based on the
performance of Road network in the country, major initiatives in the Twelfth
Plan Period are:
v Earmarking of Plan funds for IRQP and
strengthening/maintenance of non-tollable roads.
v Development of capacities of NHAI, BRO
and other implementing agencies.
v Prioritisation of special links for
feeder roads to important railway points, ports and areas where rail link is
not possible.
v Special focus on development of roads
for Delhi– Mumbai industrial corridor.
v States to be encouraged to develop core
network for rural connectivity.
v Providing universal connectivity in
rural areas under PMGSY, launch of PMGSY-II and pilots on PPP in some selected
PMGSY roads.
v Focus on implementation of rural road
projects in the LWE districts through the Integrated Action Plan (IAP).
v Investment in R&D, green technology
and design for better and safer roads
By
InfralineEnergy Roads Knowledgebase Team
Disclaimer
The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his
private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of the Infraline
Technologies (India) Pvt. Ltd. (organization). The organization is not liable
for any use that may be made of the information contained therein and any
direct/indirect consequences resulting therefrom.
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