Page 8 - TT Aug-Sept pdf for digital

UPDATE

Bharatmala Pariyojana NHAI to focus on upgrading NHs

Phase-I mid increasing concerns categories of projects - NHO1
over their maintenance projects involve maintenance,
t is announced that the Bharatmala Aand upkeep, the
Pariyojana Phase-I is expected to repair and minor upgrades of
Ibe completed by 2027-28. The government has directed the the original national highways
NHAI to focus on upgrading
project entails a total length of the existing national highways while NHO2 projects include
34,800 km in 31 states and UTs and marking a shift from the more extensive upgrades and
more than 550 districts. It envisages current practice of focusing modernisation of the original
the development of about 26,000 national highways, aimed
km length of economic corridors, solely on the development at enhancing the capacity
of new highways and
which - along with the Golden expressways under the and safety of the highways,
Quadrilateral (GQ) and North-South Bharatmala Pariyojana. accommodating increased
and East-West (NS-EW) Corridors - This could ease congestion traffic and improving overall
is expected to carry the majority of efficiency. As per the
the freight traffic on roads. Further, on many highways while prioritised plan of the NHAI
ensuring their upkeep.
about 8,000 km of interstate roads for 2024-25, 39 projects have
and about 7,500 km of feeder As per the NHAI directive, been identified under NHO1
routes have been identified for the authority will take up 79 and 40 projects under NHO2
improving the effectiveness of EC, National Highways (Original) in states including Bihar,
GQ and NS-EW corridors.
projects spanning about Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh,
1,421 kms in this financial Maharashtra and Uttar
year. The scheme has two Pradesh.

Kiwi drivers ready for dynamic

EV charging
Source: News18 A study results showed that the
survey of 1150 existing
most compelling advantage
and prospective electric
vehicle drivers in New
the ease and convenience
Zealand shows that although of wireless charging was
people have concerns about it offered to EV users,
the safety and charging cost potentially transforming the
Illuminating Villages in of dynamic wireless charging, current charging experience
Arunachal Pradesh it is viewed positively overall. by complementing stationary
University of Auckland charging stations. People
ignify, a leader in lighting, has researchers behind the study who prioritised sustainability
illuminated 25 villages in the say drivers are optimistic were more inclined to support
STawang District of Arunachal about ‘on road’ dynamic and use dynamic wireless EV
Pradesh, with energy-efficient wireless charging that allows charging and urban users
LED street lighting to enhance the EV users to charge their were more likely to adopt the
safety of local citizens. The project batteries while driving, but technology than their rural
was executed in partnership with there are concerns. counterparts. The concerns
the Indian Army and grassroot included data privacy,
NGO, BharatCares, as part of the While on-road charging electromagnetic radiation and
company’s ‘Har Gaon Roshan’ systems could revolutionise the potential costs associated
CSR program, which focuses on EV charging, making it more with the adoption and use of
sustainable rural development and convenient and less time- wireless in-road technology.
women’s safety, through lighting. consuming for users, the Source: Science Daily

8 TRAFFICINFRATECH / August-September 2024 / www.trafficinfratech.com