According to sources in the ministry of surface transport (MoST), hectic efforts would be required to meet all the targets. For, in the first three years (1997-2000), just about half the work is likely to be completed. The authorities will have to put up their act together in the last two years if the Plan targets are to be achieved.

As per the Ninth Plan, 1,512 km of roads were to be widened to two-lanes. During 1997-2000, only 762 km are likely to be two-laned. This leaves 750 km of two-laning in the last two years.

MoST officials are, however, confident that the two-laning target could be met. They point out that the real problem was in the first year (1997-98) when only 162 km were two-laned. However, the situation improved next yearwith the figure reaching 300 km, and the tempo will be maintained during 1999-2000 with 300 km.

With a little more effort, the target of 1,512 km would be met, they claimed.But a similar argument will not hold good in the area of four-laning. The Plan target was 249 km. In the first three years (1997-2000), only 129 km are likely to be four-laned, leaving 120 km for the last two years.

Similarly, in the first three years, only 1,814 km of two-lane roads are expected to be strengthened, which would leave 1900 km to be strengthened in the last two years if the targets are to be met.

During the Ninth Plan, 27 bypasses were supposed to be built, and in the first three years only 10 are likely to built. 51 major bridges were be built during the plan; in the first three years, barely two dozen are expected to be in place.

As for minor bridges, only 138 of the target of 288 can be built during the first three years, leaving a deficit of 150 for the last two years.MoST will increase absorption capacity, asthe outlays provided in the first two years were not utilised. The board of the National Highways Authority of India will also be vested with more powers.

Emphasis is also being laid to improve self-financing of four-laning by way of user-charges.

Plan expenditure on state highways will also be stepped up in the last two years of the Ninth Plan. State governments will be asked to identify deficiencies in the existing road network and suitably prioritise road development programmes. So far, only 54 per cent of the villages are linked with all-weather roads.