A total of six projects of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has been shown as ‘delayed’ in Chhattisgarh in the list on status of projects across States released by the Centre as on July 31, 2015, officials stated.
Nine projects in Chhattisgarh have been shown as ‘ongoing’ projects in the list.
In the list of projects, the maximum number of delayed projects numbering 55 have been in the insurgency ridden states.
Notably, the Centre would soon award contracts for three key road projects in Chhattisgarh measuring 149 kms to be developed at an estimated cost of Rs3,522 crore this year, officials stated.
It is targetted to award 273 road projects in the country covering a length of approximately 12,900 km amounting to about Rs1,26,700 crore during 2015-16 under various schemes of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, officials stated.
The Central Government had also sanctioned an amount of Rs305.56 crore for 10 important works under Central Road Fund Scheme during 2015-16 in Chhattisgarh, officials stated.
These 10 works include construction of one road route, two Railway over-bridges and under-bridges, one fly-over and bridge. PWD Minister Rajesh Munat had stated that these works have been approved by Central government this year for ensuring smooth traffic movement in busy areas of the State.
He said that these 10 approved works include construction of flyover at NH-6 Canal Road in Kashiram Nagar in Raipur at the cost of Rs46.35 crore, construction of bridge on Hasdeo River at Champa-Korba-Katghora Road at the cost of Rs9.77 crore and construction of bridges on Rajnandgaon-Kawardha Road at the cost of Rs13.70 crore and on Rajnandgaon Arjunda-Gunderdehi Road at the cost of Rs24.17 crore.
Munat informed that Rs14.40 crore has been sanctioned for construction of bridge on Durg-Dhamdha-Bemetara Road, Rs18.15 crore for construction of bridge on Pithora-Baghbahara-Komakhan-Chhura-Gariaband Road, Rs34.36 crore for repairing of 15.20-km-long Gaurela-Karangra Road.
likewise, Rs79.10 crore has been sanctioned for construction of Railway over-bridge near lokhandi Railway Crossing-B K-6 on Bilaspur-Katni Railway line, Rs35.40 crore for construction of railway under-bridge and over-bridge in Gogaon-Gudiyari Road, and Rs 10. 18 crore for construction of bridge near DRM office at Raipur-Vishakhapatnam Railway line.
Moreover, the Centre had recently provided in-principle approval for broad laning of Raipur-Bilaspur National Highway.
The nod was given by Union Road Transport & Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari in a meeting held with State Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Rajesh Munat, officials informed.
The Union minister after discussion with officers of NHAI directed them to prepare a time-bound programme for completion of the project.
“All processes including tenders should be completed by October month and on November 1, the Foundation Day for Chhattisgarh State, bhoomi pujan of the project will be performed,” he said.
State PWD Minister Rajesh Munat informed the Union minister that Raipur-Bilaspur National Highway number 30 and 130 is one of the most important roads of Chhattisgarh.
As per the road traffic census held in year 2014, the traffic flow on the route is 25649 PUC. This road connects Raipur with the Chhattisgarh High Court in Bilaspur which is 126.526 km long, he said.
He further informed that the project was pending for about 10 years and the Union Road Transport & Highways Minister gave in-principle approval during the meeting.
Munat had told the Gadkari that from financial point of view, this National Highway is important for the State as a number of industrial units are located on both sides of this highway.
He further informed that the National Highway from Raipur to Simga would be made six lanes and from Simga to Bilaspur will be four lanes.
We have also demanded for setting up of City Control and Command Center in Chhattisgarh for better management of traffic flow, Munat said.