Lok Sabha Question No. 1737 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-01
Subject: Condition of NHs in Maharashtra
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav, Shri Shyamkumar Daulat Barve, Shri Arvind Ganpat Sawant, Shri Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the deplorable conditions of National Highways (NHs) in the rainy season due to poor maintenance  and  large  number  of  potholes  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b)  the  details  of  the  maintenance  activities  undertaken  and  the funds allocated for the same, particularly for Maharashtra;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  cognizance  of  the  specific climatic conditions and topography of some regions of the Maharashtra  posing  unique  challenges  to  the  functionality,  safety and maintenance of NHs and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the details of the steps taken  or likely to be taken  by Government for addressing these region-specific maintenance issues and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a) and (b) Development  and  maintenance  of  National  Highways (NHs) is a continuous process. The conditions of NHs are assessed from time to time by the Ministry and its various executing agencies

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1737 ANSWERED ON 01 ST  AUGUST, 2024

## CONDITION OF NHS IN MAHARASHTRA

1737.  SHRI SHRIRANG APPA CHANDU BARNE:

SHRI SHYAMKUMAR DAULAT BARVE:

SHRI SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV:

SHRI ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

such  as  National  Highways  Authority  of  India  (NHAI),  National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Public Works Departments  (PWDs)  /  Road  Construction  Departments  (RCDs)  / Corporations  of  State  Governments  /  Union  Territories  (UTs).  The maintenance works on NHs are accordingly taken up from time to time to keep the NHs in traffic worthy condition; such works also include  rectification  of  deficiencies  and  damages  caused  due  to various  reasons,  rehabilitation  and  strengthening  of  NHs,  repair  / rehabilitation / construction of bridges etc.

The Ministry has evolved a mechanism to ensure Maintenance and Repair (M&R) of all NHs sections through accountable maintenance agency, including for the State of Maharashtra.

The M&R of stretches of NHs, where Development works have commenced or Operation, Maintenance and Transfer (OMT) Concessions/  Operation  and  Maintenance  (O&M)  Contracts  have been awarded, are the responsibility of the concerned Concessionaires/  Contractors  till  the  end  of  the  Defect  Liability Period  (DLP)/  the  Concession  Period.  Similarly,  for  NHs  stretches undertaken  under  TOT  (Toll Operate  and  Transfer) and InvIT (Infrastructure Investment  Trust), M&R  responsibility lies with concerned Concessionaire till the end of the Concession Period.

For remaining NHs  stretches, Ministry has taken policy decision to undertake maintenance works through contract maintenance,  which  is  either  Performance  based  Maintenance Contract  (PBMC)  or  Short  Term  Maintenance  Contract  (STMC), leaving  no  section  of  NHs  without  any  accountable  contractual maintenance agency.

Ministry has incurred expenditure of Rs. 23,214 Crore towards M&R of NHs during the last five years and current year, including Rs. 1,505 Crore for the State of Maharashtra during this period.

(c) and (d) Aspects  of  high  rainfall,  hilly  terrain,  soil  category  etc. are invariably taken into consideration during preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) for all NH development / upgradation projects, including for the State of Maharashtra.

To  ensure  safety  and  maintenance  of  NHs  in  high  rainfall regions such as Konkan  region and Western Ghat region of Maharashtra covering most parts of Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Raigad, Thane, Mumbai, Palghar, Pune, Nashik, Kolhapur, Satara and Sangli districts,  efforts  have  been  made  to  provide  concrete  roads  / whitetopping with high embankment and adequate drainage, slope protection  works  to  safeguard  against  landslides  in  consultation with  specialized  agencies,  adequate  road  furniture,  etc.  during upgradation / maintenance of NHs sections in such regions. Further,  in  coastal  regions  like  Raigad,  Thane,  Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and Palghar, special treatments such as anti-corrosive treatment to steel, adequate drainage arrangements etc. have been undertaken for protection against marine environment. Other methods like use of Mastic, Rapid Setting Concrete are also used for timely addressing the distressed portions of the road.

*****