Cut road construction costs: Road Ministry to NHAI
In the wake of funds crunch hitting major road projects, the Road Ministry has asked the Central road making agency NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) to explore reducing the road infrastructure construction costs through new technology and innovative means in a bid to make projects financially viable.
The moves comes after Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in a review meeting last week suggested the Ministry and NHAI officials to ponder over the idea of rationalising the construction costs.
According to official sources, in an effort to boost the morale of officials involved in highway constructions, Gadkari conveyed them to focus on delivering projects rather than getting stuck in procedures.
In the current fiscal, NHAI has set a target of constructing 4,200 kms of roads and awarding projects of cumulative 6,000 kms. The Ministry has projected a revenue deficit of over Rs 37,000 crore to the finance ministry.
