Lok Sabha Question No. 594 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-23
Subject: Construction of NHs
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: KESHAV PRASAD MAURYA, K. ASHOK KUMAR, DILIP PATEL

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 594**

ANSWERED ON 23 RD JULY, 2015

**CONSTRUCTION OF NHS**

594. 	SHRI KESHAV PRASAD MAURYA:

SHRI K. ASHOK KUMAR:

SHRI DILIP PATEL:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन और राजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the policy regarding construction of National Highways along with the total investment of the private sector in road construction under Private-Public-Partnership;

(b) the total cost incurred in constructing per kilometer National Highways along with the steps taken to prevent the prevailing corruption therein;

(c) the action taken during the last five years against persons found guilty of corruption and the number of officers still holding important positions despite found guilty in CVC enquiry;

(d) the details of the toll auction policy along with the revenue generated therefrom; and

(e) the steps taken to constantly review the growth in revenue and the results thereof?

**ANSWER**

THE MINISTER of STATE IN THE

MINISTRY OF Road transport AND highways

(Shri PON. Radhakrishnan)

(a)	The development/ construction of National Highways (NHs) is a continuous process and taken up from time to time depending upon traffic density, inter-se-priority and availability of funds. The private sector investment under National Highway Development Project (NHDP) during 11 th Five Year Plan was Rs. 62,629 crore. During 12 th Five Year Plan investment of about Rs. 62,052 crore has been recorded by private sector on NHs till 2014-15.

(b)	Per kilometer cost of construction of NHs is not constant and depends on various factors such as lane configuration, location of road, terrain, number of structures to be constructed, etc. Various initiatives taken towards prevention of corruption and bringing in more transparency and accountability in highway sector include adoption of Integrity Pact, appointment of Independent External Monitors (IEM), engagement of National Project Monitors (NPM), etc.

(c)	 Whenever allegations of corruptions against any officers/officials are found apparent or prima facie case established based on the advice of Central Vigilance Commission their names are placed in the Watch List by virtue of which those officers are not assigned sensitive postings.

(d) & (e)	Transparent and competitive bidding process is adopted in the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for Toll Auction and work is awarded to the highest bidder.  The first stage process, i.e. prequalification, is open ended having no last date.  A bidder is eligible to submit his financial bid, on line only, provided he is prequalified seven days prior to bid due date.  This policy has helped in increased collection of toll revenue and prevention of cartelization.

Besides, policy for updation of User Fee, increase in tollable lengths of NHs and prompt action for initiation of tolling in such stretches have resulted in growth in toll revenue.

The remittance of toll receipts and Permanent Bridge Fee Fund (PBFF) under budget allocation for 2015-16 is Rs. 6,550 crore.

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