Ports, airports roads require spl treatment, says Govt expert panel
Updated: Mar 03, 2014 04:49:51pm
New Delhi, Mar 3 (KNN) Special needs of connectivity to ports, airports, mining areas and development of power plants should be taken into consideration while the national and state level road projects are planned and implemented, an expert committee of the government has said.
Headed by noted economist Rakesh Mohan, the committee in its comprehensive report has suggested that connecting ports, airports and mining areas to the main industrial hubs requires special efforts and expertise and the roads catering to these requirements would be of special quality.
The other specific suggestions by the committee with regard to improving road connectivity are:
Ø Systematic numbering of different classes of roads as per international practice.
Ø The current programme of PMGSY should be expanded to achieve universal connectivity to all habitations on time bound basis.
Ø It is necessary to formulate and implement a comprehensive master plan for the NE region covering all modes of transport including roads.
Ø For capacity augmentation of state highways, every state should formulate and implement comprehensive state level programmes on the lines of the NHDP.
Ø To improve financing of roads, the accruals to the CRF may be enhanced by making levy of cess on fuel on ad valorem basis. Meanwhile the cess of Rs 2 per litre may be increased to Rs 4 per litre.
Ø The existing policy of levy of toll on two-lane roads needs to be done away with. A two-lane highway on the primary network should be viewed as a basic minimum facility and provided through government budget including CRF.
Ø Special needs of connectivity to ports, airports, mining areas and development of power plants should be factored in development of the road programmes.
Ø To enhance technical capacity establish a national level dedicated road design institute. Similar institutes to be set up at the state level.
Ø Establish Road and Road Safety and Traffic Management Boards as recommended by the Sundar Committee.
Ø The government may consider not to treat maintenance of roads as a non-Plan activity so that it does not suffer ad-hoc cuts as is the current experience.
Ø The Motor Vehicles Act is in need of amendment to respond to the demand of road transport for the current century. The Sundar Committee has suggested the needed amendments. These need to be carried out. (KNN)
Headed by noted economist Rakesh Mohan, the committee in its comprehensive report has suggested that connecting ports, airports and mining areas to the main industrial hubs requires special efforts and expertise and the roads catering to these requirements would be of special quality.
The other specific suggestions by the committee with regard to improving road connectivity are:
Ø Systematic numbering of different classes of roads as per international practice.
Ø The current programme of PMGSY should be expanded to achieve universal connectivity to all habitations on time bound basis.
Ø It is necessary to formulate and implement a comprehensive master plan for the NE region covering all modes of transport including roads.
Ø For capacity augmentation of state highways, every state should formulate and implement comprehensive state level programmes on the lines of the NHDP.
Ø To improve financing of roads, the accruals to the CRF may be enhanced by making levy of cess on fuel on ad valorem basis. Meanwhile the cess of Rs 2 per litre may be increased to Rs 4 per litre.
Ø The existing policy of levy of toll on two-lane roads needs to be done away with. A two-lane highway on the primary network should be viewed as a basic minimum facility and provided through government budget including CRF.
Ø Special needs of connectivity to ports, airports, mining areas and development of power plants should be factored in development of the road programmes.
Ø To enhance technical capacity establish a national level dedicated road design institute. Similar institutes to be set up at the state level.
Ø Establish Road and Road Safety and Traffic Management Boards as recommended by the Sundar Committee.
Ø The government may consider not to treat maintenance of roads as a non-Plan activity so that it does not suffer ad-hoc cuts as is the current experience.
Ø The Motor Vehicles Act is in need of amendment to respond to the demand of road transport for the current century. The Sundar Committee has suggested the needed amendments. These need to be carried out. (KNN)
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