UP Govt knocks on Center’s door seeking 2,500 Cr Highway makeover assistance

Considering the deplorable condition in which many of the state highways are, the Uttar Pradesh government has sought Central assistance of Rs.2,500 crore for the maintenance and improvement of the state highways.

UP Govt requests funds from Center for state highway development:

With the 2014 Lok Sabha elections round the corner, the Samajwadi Party (SP) is leaving no stone unturned in a bid to get its act right as far as state infrastructure development is concerned, with particular emphasis on highways development and maintenance. Knowing fully well that poorly maintained roads could negatively impact its prospects in the coming General elections, the SP has requested the Union Road transport and Highways ministry to sanction funds in this regard at the earliest.

Funds sought for highway maintenance and road widening:

The Public Works Department (PWD) minister of Uttar Pradesh had a meeting with the Union Transport minister to spell out the travails faced by the state due to poor highway maintenance. During the meeting, it was requested that Rs.1,300 crore be sanctioned towards maintenance of highway roads that are in a dilapidated condition. Besides, another Rs.900 crore has been sought for road widening of the Delhi border-Dasna stretch on NH-4. This stretch is proposed to be converted into a six-lane stretch to meet the increasing traffic requirements.

Many other major highway stretches are also in urgent need of proper maintenance. This includes the stretch between Moradabad and Corbett National Park, for which the Union Transport minister has given his assurance for sanctioning funds.  However, it is yet to be seen whether the Central government goes ahead with its assurance to sanction the required funds considering its changed equation with the SP in recent times.

Impediments to funds’ release:

A major factor that could act as an impediment in getting funds released for the highway projects is that UP has not signed the umbrella pact with the Central government. This agreement is basically a agreement to provide state support, that would have facilitated the allocation of Central funds in its highway development proposal. With these hurdles in its way, it is yet to be seen whether the UP government will have its way in getting funds cleared towards its highway maintenance projects.