25,000-km Bharatmala project expedited

Recent reports state that the Rs 10 lakh crore Bharatmala project spanning 25,000 km has been fast-tracked by the PMO. It is known that the highway project was sent to the Public Investment Board for approval in May and will now be forwarded to the Union Cabinet for their sanction, which is expected to be received by the end of this month. The estimated expenditure to be incurred in Phase-I is around Rs 6 lakh crore. Projects initiated under UPA government have been incorporated under the Bharatmala programme and aim to link all major tourist and religious destination such as Sarnath and Hampi. The highway project will connect western and eastern India from Gujarat to Mizoram, including the remote areas.