NH length has increased from 91,287 km in Apr. 2014 to about 1,32,500 km

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : For the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways 2019 was a year for consolidating the gains that accrued from major policy decisions taken in the previous five years, a time for monitoring of ongoing projects, tackling road blocks, and adding to the already impressive pace of work achieved during the past years.

During 2018-19, projects in about 5,494 km length were awarded and completion was achieved in about 10,855 km length of roads. The rate of development of roads has increased significantly from about 11.7 km during 2013-14 to about 30 km now. During the current year, projects for 3,211 km length have been awarded and 5,958 km length was constructed till November 2019.

During the year, the Ministry and its associated organisations have carried forward the good work of the previous years, expanding the national highways network in the country, taking various steps to make these highways safe for the commuters and making best efforts to minimise adverse impact on the environment. As a result, National Highways (NHs) length has increased from 91,287 km in April, 2014 to about 1,32,500 km. as on December 31, 2019, according to a PIB release.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has launched National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) programme, which provides for collection of user fee through FASTags based on RFID technology. In order to save fuel, time and pollution and to ensure seamless movement of traffic, it has been decided to enable all lanes in Fee Plazas for electronic toll collection programme through FASTags. The Tolling systems would be spruced up to create a digital experience of seamless tolling for all the Highway users.

The Ministry is trying to bring inter-operability of the FASTags with the State Governments so that a single FASTag can be used both at State Highways Toll Plaza and National Highways Toll Plaza. An NHAI Prepaid Wallet was also launched giving customers the choice of not linking their FASTag to their bank accounts and includes the feature of UPI recharge.