Target to award 8,500 km highway projects set for this year.

Road transport and highways department has set the target to award 8,500 km of highways and complete construction of 3,900 km during this financial year. The plan would be placed before Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he meets key infrastructure secretaries in a few days.

Of the 8500 km of highway projects, nearly 3,500 km is likely to be executed through public-private-partnership ( PPP) mode.

Sources said the highways wing has also submitted a list of nearly a dozen 'low hanging fruits' (read projects), which can start soon. These include two expressway projects - Delhi-Meerut and Eastern Peripheral - besides a host of major highway stretches. These projects can be awarded quickly to augment road network in the country.

Another major thrust area would be to have a package to provide road connectivity to 50 minor ports, 24 airports and new townships planned along the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor.

TIMES OF INDIA