The National Highway Authority of India is all set to launch its international body – NHAI International, to build roads and highways in Iran, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan. NHAI International will be a set-up outside the existing ambit of NHAI and will have its offices in several countries. It will work as a contractor mostly in neighbouring countries on the same model as railways PSUs — IRCON, Railtel and RITES — are undertaking construction and consultancy projects internationally.
Points to Note
- The government has decided to increase India’s national highways network to 1.5 lakh km within a year by adding 50,000 km more to the existing network.
- Roads ministry is already in the process to increase its road building capacity with the target of achieving 30 km of roads construction every day by March 2016.
- The government is also planning to set up a separate body to undertake its expressways project.
- The ministry has planned to build more than eight expressways at a cost of Rs 16,500 crore.
National Highway Authority of India
- The NHAI was created through the promulgation of the National Highways Authority of India Act, 1988. In February 1995, the Authority was formally made an autonomous body
- NHAI is responsible for management of a network of over 70,000 km of National Highways in India.
Test Your Knowledge
Who is the current Chairman of NHAI?
