Highways hit roadblocks in 2012

"The RFQs (Request for Qualification) are in place and shortly we are going to award these projects," he said stressing, "Already the global environment has impacted Indian economy, lenders have been instructed to be cautious of their investments in this country."

Last year there was aggressive bidding and the Ministry got Rs 3,000 crore premium on the projects bid out," Joshi said expressing hope that these projects would come up next year despite bankers being cautious in lending to the sector.

"Times are changing hopefully we will get good response in 2013. Last (financial) year, the infrastructure sector witnessed Rs 80,000 crore worth of investment in infrastructure. It has started to pick up now, let us hope for the best," he said.

On the issue of not being able to achieve the target of building 20 km of roads a day, Joshi said, "Once you award the projects the construction takes three years, the difference between award and construction is normally three years.

In 2011-12 we could award more than 7,000 km, we got Rs 3,000 crore worth of premium, the trend was there in 2011-12 but the scenario changed in 2012-13. We hope in the coming months once again we will get good response."

The Ministry faced much criticism on the front with even a parliamentary panel in its latest report saying that building 20 km of highways per day " has been a

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