Government is planning to award about 4000 kilometers of roads for two-laning on turnkey mode in the current financial year. Addressing the 2-day Economic Editors’ Conference in New Delhi today, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Dr. C.P. Joshi said a new engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract document has been finalized on fixed cost and time basis to replace the traditional item rate contracts which have the issues of time and cost over runs. The Minister said his ministry has issued a general Request for Qualification based on capacity rather than individual project specific. The evaluations would be done in a transparent manner.
Referring to number initiatives taken by his ministry, Dr Joshi said by 2014 all toll plazas on National Highways will collect toll electronically. He said this will eliminate long queues on toll plaza and enabling hassle free travel on highways. Dr Joshi, who is also holding the charge of Railways, said that safety and amenities of passengers will be his top priority. One of the biggest hazards to safety is the unmanned railway crossing and his long term goal is to man them. At present his ministry is exploring various measures to address the issue. Dr Joshi said that two important reports one on modernization by Sam Pitroda Committee and the other on Rail safety by Kakodkar committee, have submitted their reports to his ministry. The Minister said after consultations it was decided to constitute Rail Tariff Authority.
AIR correspondent reports the Railways have targeted elimination of direct discharge passenger coach toilet systems by the end of 2021-22. At present, eight trains are running with 436 bio-toilets and in the current fiscal 2500 more bio-toilets are planned to be introduced. A complete switch-over to bio toilets in new coaches has been planned by 2016-17.