The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), led by Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari, recently held a consultation conference to gather feedback from states and Union Territories on several key policy initiatives. These policies are designed to enhance infrastructure development and improve urban planning along National Highways across the country.
A major focus of the discussions was the Urban Decongestion Policy, which aims to tackle traffic bottlenecks in cities with populations over one lakh. This policy proposes the construction of ring roads, bypasses and elevated corridors that integrate with urban master plans. It also introduces flexible financing, including cost-sharing and value capture financing, to accelerate project implementation.
Another significant initiative is the promotion of using inert waste from urban landfills in highway construction. This innovative approach not only reduces dependence on natural soil and lowers construction costs but also helps address solid waste management challenges.
The proposed State Road Development Policy seeks to provide central support for upgrading high-traffic state highways to four lanes or more, with a cost-sharing framework and public-private partnerships. Finally, amendments to the National Highways Act, 1956, were discussed to simplify land acquisition procedures, streamline compensation and strengthen dispute resolution. The collective input from the states will be considered before these policies are finalized, ensuring they are practical and aligned with local needs.
