BENGALURU: The State’s proposals to upgrade 48 State Highways (SH) to National Highways (NH) have been pending with Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for many years. State and Central departments are blaming each other for the delay.
Currently, the state has 25 NHs covering 6572.15 kms connecting neighbouring states. Proposal to upgrade 8946.78 kms in 48 State Highways are pending approval.
Sources from National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) unit in Karnataka has blamed state officials over delay in sending the list late to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for up-gradation.
“At this ministry they do not allocate funds per state. Whoever sends the proposal first, gets the benefit. Maharashtra, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh are some of the states that get such benefits. We are sending the proposal late, so we are missing the bus,” an official said.
Kamble M R, Principal Secretary, Public Works Department told Express that there has been no delay from their side. “It is before the Union Ministry, they should approve it. We can only send a proposal, but it is left to them for approval,” he said. Further Kamble said if SHs are made NH, the state government’s expenses in maintaining highways will be reduced as NHs are maintained by Union government funds. NHs will be four lanes, sometimes more than that depending on traffic movement,” he said
Another senior official from State Highway Development Project said when Oscar Fernandes was Union Cabinet Minister for Transport, Road and Highways in UPA government, the state had received at least 10 NHs. Before 2013, the state had around 15 NHs and now it is 25.
‘Better Roads Mean Better Trade’
FKCCI president Tallam Dwarkanath said that better roads always result in better trade and commerce. “The government needs to improve infrastructure to get good results in commerce. This will also help in improving local tourism. We will write to Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways demanding approval of upgradation of these roads to NH,” he said.
More funds required For Upgrading NHs
Road Safety expert Prof M N Sreehari said. At present the National Highway Authority of India is concentrating on widening four lane NHs to six lanes. There is lot of expenditure involved in upgrading SHs into NH. Many SHs have single lane while basic criteria of NH is double lane. If they want to make SHs to NHs, it requires land acquisition and therefore a lot of money is required. This could also be the reason for delay.