Chandigarh: In a bid to strengthen the national highways in the state, the Haryana government has approved an annual plan of Rs 774.10 crore for 2010-11. The project will be completed in the next few months.

The plan emphasises especially on increasing the lanes of the national highways and construction of bypasses across the state to ensure smooth mobility on them. Four national highways of 116.270 km length would be strengthened at an estimated cost of Rs 112.35 crore.

“As many as10 new proposals for four-laning of five national highways, with an outlay of Rs 149 crore have been approved, an official spokesman of the Public Works Department said.

He added, “Besides, national highway number 73-A, which is the only highway in the state having the carriageway width less than two lanes, would be widened to two lanes at an estimated cost of Rs 16.80 crore.”

The approval of the plan will pave way for the construction of four bypasses at Fatehabad, Julana, Lakhan Majra and Kaithal on three national highways comprising a total length of more than 34 km at an estimated cost of Rs 183.25 crore.

 The construction of railway over bridges at various railway crossings falling on the national highways will also be undertaken. “Construction of three railways over bridges on two national highways at important railway crossings have been planned at an estimated cost of Rs 90 crore.

According to the sources in the Public Works Department, construction and restoration of 18 bridges on various national highways have also been proposed at an estimated cost of Rs 39.95 crore.

Realignment of national highway 71-B from 47 to 49.35 km has also been proposed at an estimated cost of Rs 150.50 crore, besides making a provision of Rs 22.40 crore for road safety items, such as cat eyes, delineators, crash barriers and streetlights.