The public works department (PWD) in Uttar Pradesh has initiated studies to assess the technical and financial feasibility for upgradation of road infrastructure.

This includes 21 state highways that connect busy towns and are expected to see increased vehicular traffic in the coming years.

The decision was made with the aim of improving the level of service and safety for road users, besides, reducing the travel time.

In December 2022, the department had enlisted the assistance of the Uttar Pradesh State Highways Authority (UPSHA) to identify the road assets among the 21 highways that can be monetised and to encourage private sector participation in upgrading and widening the carriageways.

The PWD aims to widen these state highways spanning over 1,800 km from existing two-lane to four-lane. Additionally, it expects to monetise some of the extremely busy networks among the 21 stretches to cover the maintenance cost.

The initiatives aim to benefit 27 districts throughout the state. Also, the emphasis is on improving accessibility near Lucknow, to strengthen the upcoming infrastructure within the state's capital region.

As per officials of the authority, the first phase would conduct study and surveys of the highways based on which the capital costs for the project will be finalised. The study will include factors such as:

Traffic volume and future demand assessment
social and environmental impact assessment
engineering works required, geometrics, land requirements
cost estimates, toll locations and potential revenue generation
location and layout for heavy vehicles lanes and bypasses

The officials added, that taking into account the present conditions and increased input cost, it is projected that an average of Rs 15 crore to Rs 20 crore will be required to upgrade 1 km road stretch, including land acquisition cost.

Engineer-in-chief and head of the PWD Sandeep Kumar said the need for strengthening the road network in towns with high economic activity has been felt, to provide better connectivity and bring down the travel time.

The PWD has created a network of over 11,000 km of state highways over the years and maintains more than 160 such stretches.

Development of Rural Roads

Additionally, the PWD also plans to carry out the periodic repair of the rural roads and the state highways.

The department will also cover villages and localities, which have a population of at least 250 individuals as per 2011 census but are not connected through road network, under two schemes — Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay scheme and NABARD's rural infrastructure development fund.

In the state budget 2023, the government has proposed allotment of a budget of Rs 21,159 crore for the development of roads and bridges.

Additionally, Rs 6,209 crore has been proposed for the maintenance of existing ones.

The government has allocated Rs 1,525 crore for rural roads and Rs 250 crore for widening of roads leading to sugar mills, whereas Rs 50 crore have been allocated for widening of roads leading to Industrial and Logistic parks.

Describing the schedule followed for regular and periodic repair of carriageways, the officials as per the Economic Times, said that repairs and maintenance of state highways and major roads take place every fourth year, while that of village roads would be initiated after eight years of construction.

Until December of last year, the department had undertaken maintenance activities on 100 state highways, 17 major district roads, and 481 other district roads throughout the state.

Out of a total of 598 projects undertaken last year, the department initiated 21 upgradation projects for new roads and carriageways to improve connectivity for road users.

Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay scheme

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