(IGP) Special Current Affairs Material for IAS (Pre) 2013 - PIB "Topic:Improving Road Transport"

Chapter: Gist of Press Information Bureau Articles

Topic: Improving Road Transport

Q. What is the data of National Highway in India?

NHs comprises only 1.7% total road network and carry about 40% of the road traffic. At present, total length of NHs in the country is 71,772 km. About 22 per cent of the total length of National Highways (NHs) is single lane/ intermediate lane, about 53 per cent is two lane standard and the balance 25 per cent is four lane standard or more.

Q. How many organisations are involved in implementation and maintenance of roads in India?

The development and maintenance works are being implemented on agency basis. The State Governments (State PWDs), Border Roads Organization (BRO) and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) are the implementing agencies.

Q. What is the NHDP?

The Government has embarked on a major programme - National Highways Development Programme (NHDP) for development of NHs being implemented mainly by NHAI. In 2011-12, the achievement under various phases of the NHDP upto November, 2011 has been about 1036 km. During 2011-12, NHDP projects have been awarded for a total length of about 4083 km up to November, 2011.

Q. What is SARDP-NE?

Besides NHDP, the Ministry has approved Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for North-East region (SARDP-NE).

• Phase ‘A’ of SARDP-NE approved by the Government envisages improvement of about 4,099 km length of roads (2041 km of NH and 2058 km of state roads) and is expected to be completed by March, 2017. Length sanctioned & awarded during the calendar year up to November, 2011 - 91 km. Length completed during the calendar year up to November, 2011 - 10 km. Work in progress as on 30th November, 2011 is 1608 km.
• Phase ‘B’ of SARDP-NE, covering 3723 km (1285 km NHs and 2438 km of state roads) has been approved for DPR preparation only and so far, DPRs for about 450 km have been completed.

Q. What the actions are being taken by government for improvement of Road Connectivity in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) Affected Areas?

Government has approved a scheme for development of about 1,125 km of National Highways and 4,352 km of state roads in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas as a special project estimated to cost about Rs. 7,300 crore.

Q. What are the main points of Special Programme For 2-Laning of Entire Balance NH Network?

Ministry has taken initiatives to develop 6,700 km of single lane/intermediate lane National Highways to minimum 2 lane standards on corridor concept. A length of 3800 km is proposed to be funded from a World Bank loan of US $ 2.96 million and the balance length is proposed to be taken up through budgetary resources.

Q. What the initiatives have been taken by government to Launch of National Register and Release of National Transport Portal?

• The Government sanctioned a project for creation of National Register and State Registers of driving licenses and registration certificate of motor vehicles. The Ministry also developed standardized software in consultation with National Informatics Centre (NIC) and made it available to all the States free-of-cost. The software cove re d both back-en d automation o f Ro ad Tran sp ort Office s (R TOs) a nd fro nt -e nd computerization to enable issuance of documents such as, driving license, registration certificates, etc. in a smart card mode.
• The release of National Register and launch of the National Transport Portal took place in July, 2011. Data from the State Registers will flow to the National Register. This will enable users to avail the services on “Anywhere Service” basis. In addition, National Register will provide information to the Ministry, RTOs, inter-State check posts, Police Departments, etc.

Q. VAHAN and SARATHI?

At present, VAHAN (for registration certificate) and SARATHI (for driving license) operation in 33 States / UTs and 100% computerization has been achieved in 31 States / UTs. Out of 975 RTOs, 942 RTOs have been computerized. The State Register will act as a repository at the State level providing information to State Transport Department, RTO, automobile dealers, Police Department and other Government to citizen services.

Q. What are the highlights of new National Permit Scheme?

• In order to facilitate inter-State seamless movement of goods carriages, a new National Permit System has been implemented in all States / UTs. As per the new arrangement, national permit can be granted by the Home State on payment of Rs 1,000/- as home State authorization fee and Rs 15,000/- per annum per truck towards consolidated fee authorizing the permit holder to operate throughout the country.
• The new national permit system has also been implemented electronically through a web portal developed by NIC. Under the new National Permit Scheme, the consolidated fee collected by the Central Government through State Bank of India is distributed among the States / UTs on a pro-rata basis as per agreed formula. The new National Permit System is being implemented successfully by all States / UTs in the country.

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