Lok Sabha Question No. 2494 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-03
Subject: Maintenance of Highways
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Khan Saumitra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2494 ANSWERED ON 03 RD  AUGUST, 2023

## MAINTENANCE OF HIGHWAYS

## 2494.   SHRI SAUMITRA KHAN:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

## be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has implemented stringent measures to ensure maintenance and upkeep of the old road infrastructure on the National Highways of Bishnupur in West Bengal and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of the funds sought, allocated and expenditure incurred during the last four years, NH-wise;
- (c) whether any tests have been carried out to ensure the structural soundness of the NH infrastructure of Bishnupur, West Bengal, especially the old bridges, to meet the road safety standards; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

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

- a)      Maintenance  and  upkeep  of  National  Highways  (NHs)  is a continuous process.

Maintenance & upkeep of stretches of NHs, where development works  have  commenced/  concession  have  been  awarded,  are  the responsibility  of  the  concerned  contractors/  concessionaires  till  the Defect Liability Period (DLP)/ the Concession Period.

Operation, Maintenance and Transfer (OMT) Concessions/ Operation and maintenance (O&M) Contracts are awarded in respect of certain  stretches  of  NHs  to  maintain  the  road  for  a  particular  fixed period as mentioned in the concessions/ contract agreements.

Those NH stretches, not covered by above said arrangements are maintained by various types of Maintenance and Repairs (M&R) works such  as  Ordinary  Repairs  (OR),  Periodical  Renewals  (PR),  Special Repairs  (SR)  and  Flood  Damage  Repairs  (FDR)  by  the  executing agencies of MoRTH.

Same mechanism is followed for maintenance and upkeep of NHs in the State of West Bengal including those in the District of Bishnupur.

- b)         Funds are allocated and spent on state and project wise and not on NH wise. Funds allocated and expenditure incurred for maintenance of stretches of NHs in West Bengal not covered by NH developmental works, OMT Concessions and O&M Contracts during last four years are as under:
2. (c)  &  (d)  Yes  Sir,  various  tests  like  rebound  hammer  test,  ultrasonic pulse velocity test, carbonation test, half cell Potentiometer test and compressive strength test on cores have been carried out on various structures  on  NHs  in  the  Bishnupur  District  in  West  Bengal  for assessment of condition of the bridges.

| Financial Year   |   Allocation (Rs. in cr.) |   Expenditure (Rs. in cr.) |
|------------------|---------------------------|----------------------------|
| 2019-20          |                     42    |                      38    |
| 2020-21          |                    116.97 |                     101.24 |
| 2021-22          |                     47.63 |                      36.59 |
| 2022-23          |                     47.34 |                      34.43 |

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