The Committee on Infrastructure, headed by Prime Minister Mr Manmohan Singh, on 27 September 2005 cleared Phase V of the National Highways Development Programme.

NHDP-V would involve six-laning of national highways covering 6,500 km, including 5,700 km of the Golden Quadrilateral and 800 km of other select highways. Estimated to cost Rs.3.5 crore per km, the total project outlay is pegged at Rs.22,750 crore.

Private sector financing is expected to the tune of Rs.19,335 crore while Budgetary support would defray the remaining expenditure of Rs.3,415 crore.

The committee has proposed to implement NHDP-V under a new concession agreement, Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT). The modalities of DBFOT are expected to be finalized by mid-October 2005. The new concession agreement would be applicable to projects (stretches) above 100 km.

NHDP-V is scheduled for completion by 2012.

Also See:

PM appoints infrastructure committee (31-Aug-04)