A PWD team inspecting the Ghato-Charhi diversion that vehicles are using to bypass the underground fire zone at Kujju on the Ranchi-Patna highway (NH-33) has found that three old bridges on the route have developed cracks that may not hold on for long unless movement of heavy vehicles is stopped immediately.

India and Thailand today emphasized the need for early completion of the trilateral highway linking Moreh to Maesot (Thailand) through Bagan in Myanmar. The issue figured at a discussion between Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Korbsak Sabhavasu and Minister of Development of North East Region (DoNER) and Mines, BK Handique here today.

Giving rest of a big political debate on land acquisition which had arisen following the notification of over 800 villages to be included Yamuna Expressway authority, the UP government has clarified that the village land was not being acquired for the expressway, but just being notified to prevent unplanned development alongside the high-profile project.

The underground fire in Kujju along the Ranchi-Patna highway (NH-33) has been tamed, well almost, claims Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), but it is still unclear whether the stretch is safe for traffic.

To tide over delays in highway work on acquired stretches, the Government has decided that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will have to vest back all unused land to the original owner if highway building does not start in five years. Moreover, the land-owner will not have to pay for re-possession.

The World Bank has agreed to provide a $3-billion loan for developing national highways.

The assistance will be utilised for converting 6,372 km of one-lane highways into two-lane, of the total of 19,702-km single-lane highways.

Nirbhay Kumar & Subhash Narayan
NEW DELHI

New Delhi: The Centre has prepared a plan to convert 6,376 km of single-lane national highways (NH) to twolanes involving an investment of over $3 billion (Rs 15,000 crore). The government is approaching the World Bank to finance this expansion, roads, transport and highways minister Kamal Nath said on Thursday.

NH-33

The road transport and highways ministry is pitching for a $3-billion World Bank loan to convert 6,300 kilometer of single-lane national highways to two lane. There are a total of 19,000 km single-lane national highways in the country.