The Chhattisgarh Road Development Corporation (CGRDC) has commenced the process for modernisation and computerisation of integrated border check posts at 16 locations in the State, officials informed.
It will get a Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared for proper execution of the project.
Notably, the total Public Works Department (PWD) prepared road length in Chhattisgarh is 32,232 kms. The category of traffic which uses the roads is from bullock cart to multi axle heavy vehicles, officials informed.
Interstate traffic comprises of various classes of vehicles that enter into the state from the neighbouring States of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra. Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh and these vehicles contain goods, which according to state policy may be taxable, as per the directives from the Government from time to time.
The permits and papers also require checking by the Transport Department at the existing 16 locations.
Different Departments of Chhattisgarh Government such as Forest, Police, Sales-Commercial Tax, Excise, Transport etc. either realise tax or check the vehicles for overloading / security purpose by erecting temporary /permanent manually operated barriers which not only interrupt free flow of traffic but also causes jam on road sides.
Also the goods carrying vehicle are overloaded compared to their defined capacity in Motor Vehicle Act which not only causes pilferage of Government revenue but also causes damage to the roads which is designed for a limited load carrying capacity. Government hence has to spend huge amount of money on maintenance of roads
On the growing need of fast traffic movement with the view to attract more highway traffic through the State and for replacement of old conventional barriers by the modernised means , especially in case of Interstate Border Area, the authority proposes a system of “Modernised and Computerised Integrated Border Check Posts” , which needs to be designed, to facilitate for clearance / checking of commercial traffic at one station by Transport Department,Forest Department,Commercial Tax Department, Excise Department,Agriculture Department (Mandi),Home (Police) Department and Mining Department.
With this concept, emphasis has been given to smooth flow of traffic movements and to provide better facilities to road users. In addition to it, the Modernized and Computerized Integrated Border Check Posts will certainly enhance the image of the state towards modernisation.
In the Integrated Border Check Posts, there will be
separate lane for lCVs and HCVs and one outer track (green channel) for an uninterrupted movement of personnel and other traffic, which does not require any clearance. Just after the booth, additional lay-byes shall be provided for taking care of additional checks, for want of paper in case of a particular vehicle, in which they can be sideline to avoid traffic jams.
Notably, the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways allocated Rs 1533.68 crores to Chhattisgarh for development of national highways during the last financial year, the Central Government has informed.
A total of Rs895.63 crore had already been spent so far for development of national highways in the State, it informed.
During 2015-16, a total of Rs359.94 crore was allocated out of which 339.80 crore was spent for the development of national highways in Chhattisgarh.
Chhattisgarh is also all set to get new national highways (NHs) with roads totalling length of 1367 kms, informed officials last year.
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari had assured of initiating necessary steps in this direction, they had informed.
The assurance came during a meeting held between Chhattisgarh Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Rajesh Munat and Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi last year.
Munat had informed the Union Minister that in February 2016 the latter had announced of constructing new highway of 1,285 km in Chhattisgarh.
As per the present requirement of the State, a proposal for sanctioning of additional 1,367 kms highways has been sent to the Ministry, he had stated.
Over the Raipur-Dhmatari Highway development issue, the Union Minister had directed the concerned officers to float tenders within a week.
The Central government had approved a total of four highway projects in Chhattisgarh with total road length measuring 60.36 kms with an outlay of Rs161.68 crores during 2016-17, officials stated.
Most of these projects are proposed to be implemented under Engineering, Procurement Construction (EPC) mode. The scheduled completion time of these projects generally varies from 24 to 36 months.
The maximum number of highway projects were approved in Uttar Pradesh at 13. Notably, the CGRDC has identified 61 different projects for construction of roads.
Out of 61 roads, 56 Roads covering length of 1859.25 kms have been identified for development under Hybrid Annuity Model and 5 roads under (B0T) Toll mode, officials stated.
Notably, the Chhattisgarh Government has adopted Public Private Partnership (PPP) model for development of roads in the State.
The State Government is planning to construct roads measuring 13,000 km with an investment of Rs42,000 crore over the next three years. The budget allocation during 2016-17 for this is a massive Rs6,101 crore, representing an increase of 56 per cent over the preceding year.
Notably, a total of 12 roads have been marked under Chhattisgarh State Road Development Project, out of which work on developing six roads has already been started, officials stated.
This year, 3,724 kms of roads have been built and upgraded and construction of 41 bridges has been completed. Construction of 123 bridges is in progress.