To discuss performance in the highway sector in 2012-13, the Union Road Transport Minister CP Joshi held a review meeting on March 11, but sought to focus on meeting the ministry’s target of constructing 3,000 km of highways. This year, contracts for developing just 879 kilometre (km) of highways have been awarded as opposed to the original target of 8,800 km and the record performance of 2011-12 when contracts for 6,644 km were awarded.
This year’s performance is only a tad better than the award of contracts for 643 km in 2008-09-which was the worst year for new highway projects since the UPA came to power in 2004. Bids have been invited for 2,127 kilometer, which are expected to come in by March 25.
If those contracts are awarded this month, the ministry might be able to close the year with nearly 3,000 km of contracts awarded. As much as 96.5 per cent of the 3,000 km construction target for this year has been met.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.