Decision on Expressway Authority in six months: Kamal Nath

NEW DELHI - Road Transport and Highways Minister Kamal Nath Monday said the government would take another six months to draw the role and scope of work of the proposed Expressway Authority of India, which will be the driving force behind construction of high-speed road networks in the country.

“Land acquisition is a major part of any kind of infrastructure project. I think its going to be another six months (for drawing the constitution of the Expressway Authority),” said Nath on the sidelines of a confederation of Indian Industries (CII) event.

The Expressway Authority will be instrumental in the speedy execution of highway projects across the country. Currently all such projects come under the purview of the National Highway Authority of India.

Earlier talking to Indian and US business delegates, Nath admitted that road building had not picked up speed as per expectations.

“It is a very cumbersome process. Also we generally use the machinery of the state,” said Nath, referring to the delays because of proposals being routed to and fro between state and federal agencies.

Earlier the government had planned to construct 7,000 km roads every year and had assigned the NHAI to construct 20 km roads everyday.

By 2020 and the end of the 13th five-year plan, the ministry plans to construct 15,600 km of national expressway in a phased manner.