Centre changes norms for national highways projects

The union cabinet committee on economic affairs on Wednesday okayed segregation of construction cost from cost for land acquisition, centages and pre-construction activities for appraisal and approval of national highways projects.

"By adopting the policy, the avoidable delays in the process of appraisal and approval of national highways (NH) projects will be suitably addressed. Speedy appraisal and approval will help in meeting the award target of 10,000 km set for this year," a government statement said.

Under the approval, all NH projects with a civil construction cost of up to Rs.1,000 crore shall be appraised by state finance commission or expenditure finance commission headed by secretary and the relevant authority.

The department of economic affairs will also play a key role in the process.

Currently, as per standard practice before getting an investment approval from the union cabinet, all NH projects are first appraised by state finance commission and other relevant bodies.

Additionally, several other rounds of appraisal are also carried out by various other committees like the standing cost committee and others.