The Government of India has approved an additional Rs 1,691 crore for highway works by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand for 2020-21. Of this, Rs 1,351.10 crore has been sanctioned to BRO for road works in Jammu & Kashmir. A total of Rs 340 crore ceiling has been approved for Uttarakhand for national highways. In addition, it has also given nod for additional sanction of Rs 71 crore for highway works by the state’s Public Works Department in Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Sikkim and Tamil Nadu. Besides, it has also enhanced the total ceiling to Rs 1,955 crore for highway works for Nagaland under Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) from the existing Rs 1,081 crore.
The existing sanction for national highways (original) work for state PWDs was Rs 2,269 crore, which has been raised to Rs 2,340 crore. In addition, Rs 1,691 crore ceiling was approved for BRO, taking the additional ceiling of Rs 4,081 crore for national highways in these areas. Widening of national highways and their strengthening under the annual plan 2020-21 may be suitably finalised by project zones in consultation with additional DG/DG (road development) and special secretary. Earlier, the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) enhanced the remuneration of its personnel working in tough terrains.