Upgradation of Existing Highways to Express Highways Govt. of India had earlier approved a plan for constructing 1000 km of Expressways under NHDP Phase-VI at a cost of Rs. 16,680 cr on DBFOT basis. Following stretches have been approved for upgradation of expressways: (i) 249 km length of Delhi-Chandigarh section on NH-1 and NH-22 (ii) 334 km length of Bangalore-Chennai section of NH-4 (iii) 261 km length of Delhi-Jaipur section of NH-8 (iv) 277 km length of Kolkata-Dhandbad section of NH-2 (v) 200 km length of Delhi-Agra section of NH-2 (vi) 400 km length of Vadodara-Mumbai corridor (vii) 66 Km length of Delhi-Meerut expressway section of NH-24 & NH-58. Out of 66 Km length of Delhi-Meerut expressway, Bids for Delhi-Hapur section of NH-24 has been invited in three packages with Bid Due Date of 15.12.2015. Feasibility study of remaining projects (except Delhi-Hapur section) is in different stages. The work shall be taken up after finalization of feasibility study and completion of land acquisition activity etc. In addition to above, Government has approved to take up one more expressway namely Eastern Peripheral expressway for a length of 135 Km in 6 packages. The construction on Eastern Peripheral Expressway has been started w.e.f 14.09.2015 (Appointed Date) with construction period of 30 months. Other than the NHDP, many other initiatives like Bharat Mala, Sethu Bharatam, District Connectivity of unconnected districts by National Highways and regional connectivity in the North Eastern parts of the country are being taken up to boost the highways development in the country. This information was given by Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways, Shri Pon. Radhakrishnan in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.
