Land Acquisition and Forest Clearance Hurdles Delay National Highway Projects
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that significant delays in land acquisition and securing forest clearances have slowed the execution of several national highway projects across the country. These administrative bottlenecks have directly led to both cost and time overruns, impacting the timely completion of critical infrastructure.
Funding Not a Constraint, Says Minister
In response to a specific question from BJD MP Sasmit Patra, Minister Gadkari clarified emphatically that the non-availability of funds or any funding constraints have not contributed to the slow progress or cost escalation observed in these projects. He stressed that financial resources are adequately allocated and managed for highway development.
Contractor Performance Issues Highlighted
The minister provided a concrete example of project delays, revealing that work on five high-level bridges on NH-326, the Malkangiri-Motu road, had been terminated due to unacceptably slow progress by the original contractor. "The remaining work has been sanctioned and is now at the bid stage for selection of a new contractor," Gadkari stated, outlining the corrective steps being taken to get the project back on track.
Strategic Focus on Connectivity and Development
Gadkari emphasized that the development of the national highway network is a continuous, strategic process aimed at:
- Strengthening connectivity to aspirational districts and tribal regions.
- Enhancing access to major industrial hubs and economic centers.
- Improving links to prominent tourist destinations and cultural heritage sites.
"Periodic reviews are held at various levels to resolve bottlenecks and ensure timely progress of road projects in these regions," he assured the Upper House, highlighting the ministry's proactive monitoring approach.
Planning and Current Status in Odisha
The minister detailed that his ministry holds primary responsibility for developing and maintaining the national highway grid. Planning is meticulously undertaken based on:
- Current and projected traffic demand.
- Broader connectivity needs and regional development priorities.
- Integration with the existing highway infrastructure.
Focusing on Odisha, Gadkari provided specific data:
- The total national highway length in the state is approximately 5,872 kilometers, spanning all 30 districts.
- Key districts include Gajapati (156 km), Malkangiri (143 km), Kandhamal (233 km), and Rayagada (109 km), totaling around 641 km across these four districts.
- Currently, 1,418 kilometers of national highways are under active development within the state.
Substantial Financial Allocations to Odisha
Responding to another query from BJD MP Muzibulla Khan, the minister outlined the significant financial commitment from the Centre to Odisha for highway development and maintenance:
- The allocation for the fiscal year 2024-25 stands at Rs 6,121 crore.
- This follows allocations of Rs 5,948 crore in 2023-24 and Rs 4,643 crore in 2022-23, demonstrating a consistent and increasing investment trend.
The comprehensive statement underscores the government's focus on infrastructure development while openly acknowledging the procedural and environmental clearance challenges that continue to impede faster project execution on the ground.
