A Review of Highway Agencies in the South Asia Region

A Review of Highway Agencies in the South Asia Region
Box 2.1: Relevant Documents and Projects
India : Road Development Plan Vision: 2021
Vision 2021 describes the aspiration for an extensive road network that will enable all to travel efficiently,
sufficiently, affordably and at any time, while being relatively clean and energy efficient. It not only focuses on
increasing the scope of the network but also strengthening the existing network. It furthermore calls for the
efficient use of public and private funds to realize these ambitions.
NHDP
The NHDP is aimed at upgrading, rehabilitating and widening major highways in India to a higher standard. In
the first phase, the focus was on the national highway connecting the main cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai
and Kolkata. In subsequent phases, the scope of the NHDP was increased and the latest phases incorporate
expressways (fully access controlled) and national highway road infrastructure in major cities.
Rural Roads Vision and PMGSY
This program is focused on the implementation of the Rural Roads Vision 2025 for India. The primary objective is
to provide connectivity through all-weather roads to unconnected rural habitations exceeding a certain number of
inhabitants. Moreover, the program also funds the upgradation of the existing roads, if all-weather connectivity to
all villages has been achieved.
Pakistan
A business plan of the National Highways Authority was developed with the assistance of
the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). It is linked to the overall vision for the
development of Pakistan. The plan includes the following policy objectives:
Develop a national highway network including extensions to the ‘corners’ of Pakistan
and servicing the main national transport corridor (north-south);
Implement preventative maintenance to eliminate the need for rehabilitation;
Institute measures to minimize the adverse impacts of road network management and
traffic on the environment;
Reduce the number of black spots and actual accidents;
Provide up-to-date road user information and minimize delays;
Implement transparent procedures, in part to stimulate private sector participation in
the development and maintenance of the road network;
Implement tolls (road pricing) to maintain and develop the national transport corridor;
Make appropriate and objective decisions supported by an effective management
information system; and
Employ well-trained and highly motivated professionals who are appropriately
rewarded.
The plan includes a multi-year budget outlay broken down into projects and sources of
funds. Apart from those related to construction and maintenance of roads and funding,
objectives have not been fully quantified. The focus is thus on input and output indicators
but not specifically on outcome indicators.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has had a National Road Policy in place since 2002, which contains the following
general objectives. These, however, fail to address the specific priorities to be followed, such
as connecting cities or improving rural connectivity:
Promote the economic development of Sri Lanka, by taking into consideration the
present and future socioeconomic development plans and policies, thereby improving
the quality of life of people;
Facilitate greater mobility, shorter travel time and provide easy accessibility with
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