Bharatmala Pariyojana

In News 

• Recently, the Shiromani Akali Dal demanded at least a 100% hike in compensation to the farmers for the land being acquired under the “Bharat Mala” project for different highways in the State.
  • It is said that Punjab farmers have been put at a loss of over ?25,000 crores by the State government’s “devious and surreptitious” decision to substantially reduce the collector rates for their lands affected by the acquisition. 

About ‘Bharatmala Pariyojana

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the implementation of an umbrella programme for the National Highway Road Sector – “Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-I” spanning over a period of 5 years (2017-2022).
• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has taken up a detailed review of the NHs network and has given overall investment approval for the development of about 34,800 km (including 10,000 Km residual NHDP stretches)  at an estimated outlay of Rs 5,35,000 Crore.
• Focus: It focuses on optimizing the efficiency of freight and passenger movement across the country by bridging critical infrastructure gaps.

                                              Image Courtesy: FM

• Bharatmala Pariyojana also ushered in a new age of technology-driven highway development in the country through the deployment of automatic traffic surveys and satellite mapping and imagery to identify up-gradation requirements of corridors.

Criteria for Selection of Stretches for Bharatmala Pariyojana Program

Image Courtesy :Morth.nic.in

• In addition, NHAI is also reimagining the movement of both passengers and goods through its smart mobility mission under Bharatmala Pariyojana.
• Phase 2: Bharatmala Phase 2 envisaged around 48,000 km of road network across India by 2024.
  • Under it, states will be given requisite funds for acquiring the land and constructing the roads.
• Objectives: 

• To optimize the efficiency of freight and passenger movement across the country by bridging critical infrastructure gaps through the development of Economic Corridors, Inter Corridor  and Feeder: Routes, National Corridor Efficiency Improvement, Border and International connectivity roads, Coastal and Port connectivity roads and

• Significance:
  • The project will help generate a large number of direct and indirect employment in the construction activity.
  • The development of highways amenities and also as part of the enhanced economic activity in different parts of the country that will result from better road connectivity.
  • The Bharatmala project is also expected to boost the associated industries like the cement and steel sectors.

Source:TH