The Ministry also has chalked out a road map to formulate and implement a Master Plan for 15,600 km of access-controlled expressways for high-density corridors and initiation of action for determining alignment and acquiring land for 6,000 km, expedite construction of 1,000 km of Expressways under NHDP Phase-VI, completion of Special Accelerated Road Development Programme in the North-East Region (SARDP-NE) Phase-A and initiate action to implement Phase-B to catalyze development of the North-East Region, along with keeping the balance non-NHDP NH sections in reasonably good shape.

The physical targets stipulated for the National Highways for the Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-12) are expeditious completion of balance works under National Highways Development Project (NHDP) Phases-I & II, completion of first part of NHDP Phase-III, strict monitoring of implementation of second part of NHDP Phase-III.

The Eleventh Five Year Plan envisages Rs 72,530 crore budgetary supports for Central Sector Roads at 2006-07 prices (Rs 82,032.97 crore at current price). In addition, the sector is expected to generate Internal & Extra Budgetary Resources (IEBR) amounting to Rs 34,829 crore and private sector investment of Rs 86,792 crore during this period.

The sources of funds for the programme include budgetary allocations of funds for Central Sector Roads provided to the Ministry as per availability of funds, including accrual of cess levied on petrol and high speed diesel (HSD) available for development of NHs and for development of State Roads of EI & ISC Schemes as per the provisions of the Central Road Fund (CRF) Act, 2000 and funds allocated for externally aided projects. Besides the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) also raises funds through market borrowings to bridge the gap between estimated expenditure and availability of funds. However, such funds raised by the NHAI are not allocated to the State Governments. No funds have been raised or received from Foreign Countries.

On behalf of the Malaysian Government and Ministry of Works, Government of Malaysia, the Construction Industry Development Board, Malaysia (CIDB) have expressed their interest to collaborate on highway related projects on a Government to Government basis with the Government of India. No agreement has, so far, been entered into with the Government of Malaysia. Also multilateral funding agencies, such as World Bank and Asian Development Bank, have shown interest to lend funds for NH development programme in the country.

This information was provided by Shri R.P.N.Singh, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways in the Lok Sabha today.