×
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

No highway works before land in hand

Last Updated 19 March 2018, 18:35 IST

The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has decided not to award any highway projects before getting sufficient land in hand for construction.

The decision was taken keeping in mind  many cases in 2011 where a large number of projects had to be cancelled as land was not available.

In 2017-18, so far, the highway ministry has awarded about 8,800 km of stretches against the target of 25,000 km and has completed the construction of approximately 8,200 km against the target of 15,000 km.

At present, the government policy is to not issue work orders unless 80 % of land in its possession. In 2011, a large number of highways projects were cancelled following delay in land acquisition as well as environment clearances.

"Now the government has decided to be very cautious in awarding projects  and will  ensure that sufficient land  is available before inviting tender," an official said.

Even after final notification, acquiring land in some states will take six months, while in a few states, it takes more than a year, as some farmers  are  reluctant to give land even after  receiving compensation, the official said.

The official  added  that just awarding the tender will not do, ground work is more important.

ADVERTISEMENT
(Published 19 March 2018, 13:12 IST)

Follow us on

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT