The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is set to embark on an ambitious plan to construct 50,000 km of high-speed (access-controlled) corridors by the year 2047, a senior official said on Friday. Upon completion of the proposed high-speed corridors, the average travel speed of trucks is expected to witness a significant boost, increasing from the current speed of 45 kmph to an impressive 75-80 kmph on the National Highway network.
Vision Document for Infrastructure: Targeting 50,000 km by 2047
Road Transport and Highways Secretary Anurag Jain emphasized the ministry’s commitment to enhancing the country’s infrastructure, revealing that a vision document has been finalized. The document outlines a proposal to increase the total length of high-speed corridors to an extensive 50,000 km by the year 2047.
The evolution of high-speed corridors is evident in the statistics provided by Jain. From a mere 353 km in 2014, the total length of such corridors has expanded to 3,913 km in 2023.
Strategic Approach: Aligning Project Awards with Vision 2047
To ensure efficient implementation and minimize overlap, project awards will align with the Vision 2047, as stated by Jain. This strategic approach is intended to streamline the execution of the proposed high-speed corridors.
Progress Update on Port Connectivity Road Projects
Jain also provided insights into the progress of port connectivity road projects, citing completed, awarded, and projects under progress figures. Out of 108 projects totaling 3,700 km, eight projects (294 km) have been completed, 28 projects (1,808 km) are awarded, and detailed project reports for 72 projects (1,595 km) are currently underway.
Parvatmala Pariyojana: Ropeway Projects on the Horizon
Under the Parvatmala Pariyojana, Jain shared plans for 60 km ropeway projects set to be awarded by the end of the fiscal year. Additionally, ongoing construction in Varanasi and invitations for bids on nine projects highlight the momentum in ropeway infrastructure.
Toll-Operate-Transfer (TOT) Model Success: Rs 26,366 Crore Raised
Jain reported the success of the Toll-Operate-Transfer (TOT) model since its launch in 2018. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has completed six rounds of road asset monetization through TOT, raising an impressive Rs 26,366 crore.
(With PTI Inputs)