The road transport and highways ministry has increased the NHAI's allocation for national highway (NH) maintenance to Rs 13 billion, about 44% more than the existing allocation for the current fiscal year. This comes despite concerns made by a parliamentary standing committee over the proper maintenance of the NHs.

The ministry announced last week that it had earmarked an additional Rs 4 billion for the maintenance of NHs under the NHAI, in addition to the existing allocation of Rs 9 billion. This sum will only be used for the stated purpose. The NHAI has made a concerted effort to make all of its routes pothole-free.

Similarly, the allocation for NH maintenance by state public works departments (PWDs) has been increased to Rs 2.8 billion from Rs 1.32 billion previously. Additional funds have also been made available for the rehabilitation of roads damaged by rain in various states, according to officials. "The ministry revises cash allocation based on need from time to time," an official said, adding that even the current level of fund allocation for upkeep of road assets with the highway authority and state PWDs is low.

Almost half of the country's highway network is still administered by state PWDs, with funds provided by the road transport ministry.

In recent years, department-related parliamentary committees have expressed concern about insufficient funding for NH maintenance and repair (M&R) and have regularly urged that the government increase the provision for this in the Union budget.

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