(IGP) Special Current Affairs Material for IAS (Pre) 2013
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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