NEW DELHI: The fate of developing 8,000 km of National Highway (NH) stretches under the government’s flagship programme now hangs in balance, with the finance ministry asking the road ministry not to bid them out without seeking fresh cabinet approval.
The direction from North Block comes at a time when the government has barely awarded 2,595 km of NHs for construction and widening during April-October, as against 5,007 km during the corresponding period last year.
Even in its monthly report to the Cabinet, the road ministry has flagged this 50% fall in awards and has said, “If target for award has to be met for this year, decision on the proposal for approval of the revised Bharatmata Phase-1 or alternate programme needs to be taken expeditiously.
