Cess On Petrol For Highway Fund Soon

The government would be in a better position to maintain the national highways once the fund was created, he said while inaugurating a one-day conference of PWD ministers of states and Union territories.

Stressing the need for increasing the budgetary outlay for national highways and roads, he said it would have to be raised from the present 3.5 per cent to 6 per cent of GDP in the next few years. ``It is fully recognised and appreciated that the roads are an important element of infrastructure and budgetary support to this sector must increase.''

He hoped that the Planning Commission would substantially step up the budgetary support during the ninth plan in view of the 10-per cent annual increase in road traffic.