Govt approves Rs 5,388-cr road projects in 3 states

The government today approved three road projects in the states of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Andhra Pradesh entailing a total investment of Rs 5,388.36 crore.

The Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure cleared widening of Kiratpur-Ner Chowk section in Himachal Pradesh at a cost of Rs 2,356.20 crore, six-laning of Vijaywada -- Gundugolanu section in Andhra Pradesh worth Rs 2,011 crore and Rs 1,021.16 crore scheme for four-laning of UP/Haryana border.

The widening of 84.38 km stretch on National Highway (NH) 21 in state will be implemented under NHDP phase III on design, build, finance, operate and transfer (DBFOT) basis in BOT toll mode of delivery, it said adding of the entire cost, Rs 537.37 crore will be spent on land acquisition, rehabilitation, etc.

The project, on completion, will reduce the time and cost of travel for traffic, particularly heavy traffic, plying between Kiratpur and Ner Chowk.

NH 21 is not only an important link connecting national capital and tourist destination of Manali in Himachal Pradesh but is a major link to Leh in Ladakh.

About Andhra Pradesh project comprising 103.59 km, the statement said it will be implemented under NHDP Phase V on DBFOT basis in BOT (Toll) mode of delivery.

"The total project cost estimated will be Rs 2,011 crore out of which Rs 327 crore will be for the land acquisition, rehabilitation, resettlement and pre-construction," it said.

It added, "The main objective of the project is to increase the capacity of Golden Quadrilateral (GQ) corridor and also to reduce the time and cost of travel for traffic, particularly heavy traffic between Vijayawada- Gundugalanu."

NH 5 is an important link connecting Kolkata to Chennai, which is part of the GQ Corridor.

Out of the total cost of the 104.7-km Haryana project on NH 73 under NHDP Phase-III on DBFOT basis in BOT (Toll) mode, Rs 86.23 crore will be for land acquisition, rehabilitation, resettlement and pre-construction.

The project, on completion, will reduce the time and cost of travel for traffic, particularly heavy traffic, plying between UP/Haryana border. It will also increase the employment potential for the local labourers for the project activities.