India investing in road infrastructure

The Indian Government has announced plans to build 7,300km of roads and 48 bridges. The programme is being handled by India's Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and is called the Road Requirement Plan (RRP) Phase-2. The new roads will be constructed in the so-called ‘red zone’. The project is expected to cost some US$1.72 billion, and it will include the construction of roads, highways and 48 bridges. The ‘red zone’ areas have been affected by left wing extremism, namely the Naxalites. As of January 2015, some 3,200km of roads have been completed, out of the 5,477km roads allocated for the first phase of the programme, which is being carried out in 34 districts. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed in 2015. The construction of these new road networks has been identified as being necessary in the country’s efforts in dealing with the problems relating to this area.