National highways in India: Whose responsibility is it?
Center should hand over the maintenance of highways to state government because it is difficult for agencies like NHAI to manage development of roads and it restore job simultaneously.
INDIA HAS the honour of third largest road network in the world and at present it has 3.314 kilometres of roadway. India’s lifeline ‘National Highways’ represent only 2 per cent of the total network length and carries 40% of total traffic across the length and breadth of the country.
The Central Government is responsible for development and maintenance of the network through three agencies viz. National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), State Public Works Departments (PWDs) and Border Road Organisation (BRO).
In recent years, highways face deterioration because of weather conditions and heavy usage. Potholes and wavy asphalts are common on several highways. Due to deplorable conditions of highways in Madhya Pradesh, it’s causing inconvenience tourists on regular basis.
The petition filed by Nagrik Upbhokta Marg Darshak Manch Chairman Dr. PG Naajpandey against state government stated that ‘Madhya Pradesh is a advertised as incredible to attract tourists but highways are in poor conditions, which keep away tourists from visiting the State and does not match with uncomfortable roads’.
In the wake of court case, Madhya Pradesh government asked the Centre to handover the deprived form of national highways stretches to them.
“It is right that our national highways are in poor condition and government must do something” said one tourist.
“If we see our roads condition, it is worst in the Asian countries, mostly road are un-motorable, potholes filled with water etc., it causing mishaps and traffic blockades” added another tourist.
It would be right to say that bad road conditions are nothing new to India and Indian highways are infamous for their pathetic state. The sad state of affairs is that most of national highways are just two lanes or even lesser. The design of highways is a matter of great concern as roads in India are heavily congested and loaded.
In my view, Centre should hand over the maintenance of highways to state government because it is difficult for agencies like NHAI to manage development of roads and it restore job simultaneously.
India is on developing phase, it still needs additional road network when compared with the booming population. Government must think of outsourcing the restoration and rebuilding of faulty roads in nation interests otherwise situation will aggravate.
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