Construction of highways in safe districts may be allowed under lockdown

With reports that the central government may extend the current 21-day lockdown on the recommendations of states doing the rounds, it is learnt that the construction of highways may be exempted from the total shutdown. Senior officials said some districts have asked the Centre to allow construction of roads as it essential for any economy.

“Some districts have said that areas which are away from the urban centres and where there have been minimal to zero Covid-19 cases may be exempted from the lockdown and construction activity should be allowed,” a person in the know told Business Standard.

It is believed that the Maharashtra government allowed the construction of its marquee project — Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg, an expressway connecting Mumbai and Nagpur.