NHAI invites bids for proj reports for 15,000 km eco corridors

Setting the ball rolling for its programme to develop 44 economic corridors for faster movement of freight, government has invited bids for preparations of detailed project reports for 15,000 km of such corridors under the first phase.
The government plans to develop 35,000 km of highways under the Economic Corridor project which is estimated to cost Rs 3 lakh crore.
"Consultants are being tasked to carry out critical examination of existing logistic infrastructure ... And 44 freight corridors (Economic Corridors), Inter corridors and feeder routes to reduce cost and time of freight movement," Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said in a statement.

It said under 'Logistic Efficiency Enhancement Programme', these these are proposed to be developed by taking an end-to-end corridor view, rather than stretch-by-stretch road construction view to ensure consistent infrastructure along the corridor, as per discussion between NHAI and government.
"As a first step towards this task, preparation of DPRs is being undertaken by NHAI. In the first phase, DPRs of identified 15000 km is proposed to be prepared" for which NHAI has invited bids, it said.
In order to drastically reduce the time taken for

conducting surveys, it has been decided to use latest technologies such as LiDAR, Satellite mapping and Ground Penetration Radar (GPR) in preparation of DPRs.

This will also help to make data collection comprehensive with accurate measure points and increase the safety for project personnel.
When implemented, the about Rs 3-lakh-crore Economic Corridor project to develop 35,000 km of highways for faster movement of freight,is slated to be the second largest project in the sector after the flagship road building programme NHDP which saw development of 50,000 km of National Highways network as per global standards including the Golden Quadrilateral project.
The project is aimed at faster movement of cargo and would not only under developing economic corridors with a length of about 21,000 km but also developing 14,000 km of feeder routes, i.E. Providing connectivity to logistic hubs.