On the direction of the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has assured that 15 major projects of 1,547 kilometers of Roads and Highways will be awarded within this financial year. Another 11 projects for 1,731 kms of Roads will be considered by the Public Private Partnership Approval Committee, next week for speedy approval. This will ensure that the target for the current financial year of 7,999 kms is met on time.

A meeting attended by Member Secretary Planning Commission, Secretary Department of Economic Affairs, Secretary Ministry of Road Transport & Highways along with Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister decided that Cabinet approvals will be sought within next week to complete this task. The Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure will also consider a proposal by the MORTH on the Eastern Peripheral Expressway to clear the project in its meeting scheduled for next week. This Expressway will help in decongesting the National Capital Region on Uttar Pradesh and Haryana side along with the Western Peripheral Expressway which is nearing completion. The Road Transport and Highways Ministry would also indicate its targets for the next year within this month.