Centre relaxes highway project norms

In a major step to expedite national highway projects and remove hurdles, the Cabinet Committee on Investment (CCI) has relaxed forest clearance norms for the projects. It has also de-linked environmental clearance from forest clearance. It has also raised the ceiling for four-laning of roads under the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) phase-IV from 4,000km to 8,000km. This will be carried out on a build, operate and transfer (Bot Toll) basis. A committee has been formed under the Planning Commission to look into the causes for delays of projects under the NHDP. The CCI has also directed various security agencies to adhere to the 12-week timeline approved by it for granting security clearances for port infrastructure improvement projects