Lok Sabha Question No. 2659 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-16
Subject: Target for Construction of National Highways
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Chandra Sekhar Sahu, Girish Bhalchandra Bapat, Pritam Gopinath Munde, Rahul Ramesh Shewale

## be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has reduced the target for construction of National Highways from 14,600 km to 12,000 km during 2021-22;
- (b) if so, the details of targets originally fixed and subsequently revised during the said period along with the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether  the  pace  of  highway  construction  has  been  declining leading  to  the  targets  being  missed  by  a  wide  margin  and  if  so,  the reasons therefor;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  reviewed  the  progress  of  highway projects  recently  and  if  so,  the  outcome  thereof  along  with  the shortcomings noticed;
- (e) the target fixed for the year 2023-24 including for Odisha; and
- (f) the steps taken by the Government to achieve the targets during the financial year 2023-24?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2659 ANSWERED ON 16 th MARCH, 2023

## TARGET FOR CONSTRUCTION OF NATIONAL HIGHWAYS

2659. SHRICHANDRA SEKHAR SAHU: SHRI GIRISH BHALCHANDRA BAPAT: DR. PRITAM GOPINATHRAO MUNDE: SHRI RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

- (a) No Sir.
- (b) Does not arise.
- (c) The Ministry has set a higher target of 12,200 km for construction of National Highways (NHs) during the current financial year 2022-23, as  compared  to  previous  three  financial  years,  and  has  urged  all implementing  agencies  to  make  extra  efforts  to  achieve  the  higher construction target. The details of construction target & achievement during last three years & the current financial year are as follows:
- (d)  Projects  are  reviewed  at  various  levels  to  identify  and  resolve bottlenecks  and  issues  adversely  affecting  progress.  During  such reviews  it  has  been  emerged  that  construction  progress  during  the current financial year have been adversely affected due to protracted monsoon in many States and above average rainfall in some States. Issues/bottlenecks relating to land acquisition, statutory clearances/permissions, utility shifting, encroachment removal, law & order, non-availability of soil/aggregate, financial crunch of Concessionaire/Contractor, poor performance of Contractor/Concessionaire, etc. have also emerged as major reasons affecting the progress of projects. The Ministry has issued instructions to  all  implementing  agencies  to  resolve  such  issues/bottlenecks  in close coordination with all stakeholders and expedite progress.
- (e) The target of construction of NHs for financial year 2023-24 has not yet been finalized.
- (f) Does not arise.

| Financial Year 2022-23   | Construction Target (km) 12200   | Achievement (Km) 8064 ( up to Feb-2023)   |
|--------------------------|----------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|
| 2021-22                  | 12000                            | 10457                                     |
| 2020-21                  | 11000                            |                                           |
|                          |                                  | 13227                                     |
| 2019-20                  | 11000                            | 10237                                     |

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