Field Officers directed to expedite the NH Projects Proactively
The Divisional Forest Officers, field level Revenue Officers, Executive Engineers and the Executive Agencies have been asked to expedite the National Highway Development Projects through proactive dealing of forest diversion, shifting of utilities, disbursement of compensation award and land acquisition matters. The Union Secretary, Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways Sri Vijay Chhiber and Chief Secretary, Sri Gokul Chandra Pati have given these directions while reviewing the National Highway Projects in Odisha in a High level meeting held in Secretariat Conference Hall today morning. Chief Secretary, Sri Pati has directed the Chief Engineer, NH to submit weekly report on the progress of the projects.
Available data shows that there are 22 numbers of National Highways in the State extending over 4,644 kms out of which 1912 kms are being developed by NHAI. Till now 521 kms of road have already been developed under National High Way Development Project ( NHDP) , Phase-I. The development of another 617 kms have been taken up under NHDP, Phase-III & V. The balance 1233 kms have been included in NPDP , Phase- IV & V. The projects under implementation include 6-laning of Bhubaneswar-Chandikhole, NH-5 ( 67 kms ), 4 laning of Bhubaneswar-Puri, NH-203 (67 kms), 4 laning of Sambalpur-Bargarh, NH-6 ( 88 Kms), 4 laning of Panikoili-Rimuli NH – 215(163 kms), 4 laning of Rimuli-Roxy-Rajamunda NH-215 (96 kms), 4 laning of Chandikhole-Duburi-Talcher NH- 200/23 (133 kms) .
Besides, around 3055 kms of NH roads are being developed through State PWD under the project NH (O). A total number of 35 projects are under implementation. Review shows there has been substantial progress in implementation of NH ( O) projects. The target set up to January, 2015 was completion of 14 projects which has been accomplished by 100%. Similarly, the target for construction of 5 number of bridges and strengthening of 1.5 kms of road have also been accomplished. However, in widening of road to 2-lane, the achievement has been 105.76 kms against the target of 120 kms. The expenditure up to this month has been around 174 cr against the target of Rs.190 cr.
Under Central Road Fund Work, a total number of 183 projects including 162 road projects and 21 bridge projects have been sanctioned with an estimated amount of Rs 923.90 cr Against this, 168 projects have been completed and the work in other 12 projects are in progress. Balance 3 projects with estimated cost of around Rs 63 cr have been processed for approval. Apart from this, around 16 other roads having economic and inter-state connectivity importance were also reviewed in the meeting. These roads include Nuapada-Bangamunda, NH-217, Bhoajpur- Chhatabar, NH- 200 and Nabarangpur-Koksara, NH-201.
The issues relating to forest land diversion, disbursement of compensation award, land acquisition, shifting of utilities, DGPS survey were discussed and resolved in the meeting. Mile stones have been set against each work and all the field level officers including DFO, Executive Engineers, Tahasildars and executing agencies have been instructed to expedite the work through proactive handling of the issues arising in the process of implementation.
Development Commissioner Sri U.N. Behera, Additional Chief Secretary Revenue & Disaster Management Dr. Taradatt, Works Secretary Sri N.K. Pradhan along with Chief Engineers, NHAI authorities and senior officers from concerned departments participated in the discussion.