Highway No 8 is one of a series of new tolled links being built in India
India's Government is continuing with its huge highway investment programme, with the 1143 Ministry of Road Transport and Highways planning to announce US$15.66 billion worth of contracts in the 2011-2012 period. These will be for work to 11,050km of roads in all. This represents a 44% year-on-year increase in the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) from more than 5,095km to 7,300km. Meanwhile seven agreements, which carry Japanese loans totalling $1.93 billion as Official Development Assistance to India, have been concluded between the two countries. The sum will be used for projects such as the National Highway upgrade project in Bihar state, as well as a series of other transportation and infrastructure work. The loans are being provided by 2416 Japan International Cooperation Agency, which is coordinator of the assistance programme.
