WIDENING OF NHs IN KERALA
17/August/2010
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 3751
ANSWERED ON:  17.08.2010
WIDENING OF NHs IN KERALA
SHASHI THAROOR
 
Will the Minister of



ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state:-




(a) whether any consultations have been held with the representatives from Kerala regarding widening of National Highways in the State; 

(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the issues discussed and outcome thereof; 

(c) whether the Government proposes to relax the norms for NH development/widening in view of the peculiar problems of the State; 

(d) if so, the details thereof; 

(e) whether there is any proposal to sanction elevated corridors of the NHs in the densely populated areas of the State; and 

(f) if so, the details thereof alongwith the additional budgetary allocation likely to be made in this regard?


ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS(SHRI R. P. N. SINGH) 

(a)and(b) Yes,Sir.A meeting was taken by Hon’ble Minister (RT&H) with Members of Parliament from Kerala on 26.4.2010 to discuss the following issues related to widening of National Highways in Kerala :- 

(i) Reduction of Right of Way (ROW) for the proposed 4/6 lane widening of National Highways in Kerala to 30m from 45m. 

(ii) To take up the NH widening projects in Kerala as Government funded projects instead of on BOT mode of execution. 

It was clarified that 45m width of ROW was essential in view of safety requirements on National Highways and for accommodating various highway features. As regards tolling, it is the policy of the Government of India to toll 4-lane National Highways regardless of the development being done under Government funding or private funding. 

(c)and(d) The Government has relaxed the prescribed norm of 60m width of Right of Way for 4-laning on National Highways to 45m for the State of Kerala keeping in view the high density of population. 

(e)and(f) There is no such proposal at present.


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