Govt to widen 3,770km single-lane NH by 2014 with $2.96bn World Bank loan-Nov 9, 2010,

Govt to widen 3,770km single-lane NH by 2014 with $2.96bn World Bank loan

PTI, Nov 9, 2010, 05.45pm IST


NEW DELHI: The government on Tuesday said it has sought $2.96 billion (over Rs 13,000 crore) assistance from the World Bank for converting 3,770 km of single lane national highways into double lanes.

"The tentative time for completion of these stretches is up to year 2014," Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways RPN Singh told the Lok Sabha in reply to a query.

The Road Transport and Highways Ministry has identified 33 such single-lane stretches to be widened in the next four years.

"Under this plan, Arunachal Pradesh will be the biggest beneficiary with 1,940 km of its single lane highway proposed to be upgraded to 2-lane with paved shoulders," Singh said.

The other states which would benefit the most from the scheme include Bihar where 1,738 km will be converted into double lane followed by Madhya Pradesh, which will see conversion of 1,622 km under the scheme.

Uttarakhand, Orissa and Rajasthan will also benefit under the plan as the Ministry has identified 1,437 km, 1,255 km and 1,200 km highways in the respective states for upgradation to double lanes.

The projects, as per information, would be undertaken under the National Highways Development Project ( NHDP) phase IV where the government has already identified 19,702 km of single lane highways.