India Designs Multi-Billion Infrastructure Investment Program
Friday, 29 June 2012 16:55 |
Indian authorities are evaluating a road investment program worth $5.3 billion USD, with a view to improving traffic flow and avoiding congestion, official sources said.
According to the Ministry of Land Transport, the idea aims to add about 1,600 kilometers of express highways to connect the main cities of the nation and allow travel at speeds of up to 120 kilometers per hour.
About 80 percent of passenger traffic in the country is moving through a transportation network consisting mostly of two lane roads, where fleets of trucks face traffic jams.
Specialized agencies said the average speed of trucks in India due to traffic jams is 19.8 k/h, which contrasts with the 74 k/h average reported by the United States.
Land is an issue, because many rural workers refuse to sell their properties for roads, because of the loss it represents to their standard of living.
For truckers, the government's strategy represents lower fuel costs and better vehicle performance since it would allow for traveling greater distances in the same period.
Source - Prensa Latina
