BharatMala will put more freight on roads

2018 deadline for most projects

HYDERABAD, TELANGANA, 13/09/2017: Special Secretary (RT&H), The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, Yudhvir Singh Malik along with Telangana Special Secretary (Transport), Sunil Sharma (left), DGP-Railway and Road Safety Telangana State, T.Krishna Prasad (right) and others at inauguration the Asia’s largest Traffic Expo- 6th Edition of Traffic Infra Tech Expo, 3rd edition of Parking Infra Tech in Hyderabad on September 13, 2017. Photo: Nagara Gopal

The Union government said on Wednesday that the road construction programme, BharatMala, will connect 550 districts to national highways.

“With BharatMala, 550 districts will get linked to national highways against 300 districts at present. We will have 50 economic corridors against the existing six,” Road Transport and Highways Secretary Yudhvir Singh Malik told a press conference.

Mr. Malik said 70-80% total freight will move on national highways against 40% freight at present due to BharatMala.

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said the government will roll out most of the projects announced under BharatMala by December 2018. “This is the biggest infrastructure programme that will give priority to tribal and backward areas and border regions,” Mr. Gadkari said.

He said the Ministry has prepared a detailed report for projects worth around ₹25,000 crore.

Mr. Gadkari said he has urged the Finance Ministry to increase the budget allocation for the road sector.