P. Sarojini
New Delhi, India (CWBN)_ A mega highway construction project worth USD 500 million to construct safe and green national highway corridors in four Indian states such as Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh was signed by the Indian government and the World Bank on Tuesday. The project would also improve the capacity of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to combine safety and green technologies.
The World Bank Country Director of India, Junaid Ahmad, said that this project will support the country’s growth strategy. He said, “Connectivity for economic growth and connectivity for sustainable development are two important aspects of a country’s development trajectory. This operation brings these two priorities together in support of India’s growth strategy”.
By combining safety and environment-friendly technology designs such as local and marginal materials, industrial by-products, and other bioengineering solutions, the Green National Highways Corridors Project will assist MoRTH in constructing 783 km of highways in different geographies. The green highway project also aims at reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) from highway construction and maintenance.
Junaid Ahmad listed the advantages of this highway construction project. He said, “This project will provide efficient transportation for road users in the four states, connect people with markets and services, promote efficient use of construction materials and water to reduce the depletion of scarce natural resources, and help lower GHG emissions,” he added.
In this initiative, new guidelines will be set for the construction of safe motor roads. In the states of Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh, the roads that are chosen for the construction will enhance connectivity and encourage economic growth. Around 40% of road traffic is maintained by the National Highways of India. Many parts of these highways have insufficient capacity, poor drainage systems and are prone to accidents.
Some of the benefits of this green project are that it will reinforce and extend the existing structures; build new pavements, drainage systems and bypasses; enhance junctions; and implement features for road safety. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) loan of USD 500 million has a maturity period of 18.5 years, with a five-year grace period.
