Haryana

• 26 Sep 2024

National Highway Projects in Haryana

Why in News?

In a recent rally at Gurgaon ahead of the Haryana Assembly polls on 5^th October, the Union Minister highlighted major infrastructure projects and compared Haryana’s upcoming national highways to the US by 2024.

Key Points

• Current and Upcoming Projects:
  • The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has completed or initiated projects worth Rs. 2 lakh crore in Haryana, including:
    • Dwarka Expressway
    • Gurgaon-Rewari Highway
    • Mumbai Expressway
  • Tenders for 9 foot-overbridges for Gurgaon and Rewari will be floated in October, and work on 4 new flyovers will commence within two months.
• Sonipat to Jind 352A National Highway:
  • This highway will ease travel between Sonipat and Jind. The total length is 80 km, divided into two sections: Sonipat-Gohana and Gohana-Jind.
• Jind-Panipat State Highway:
  • Haryana is spending Rs. 170 crore on this highway under the Central Road Fund scheme. It will benefit commuters traveling between Jind and Panipat.
• 152D National Highway:
  • Completed, this highway shortens the travel time from Jind to Ambala and Chandigarh from 3-4 hours to 2 hours, improving connections to Delhi and Rajasthan as well.
• Rohtak-Jind and Narwana National Highway 352:
  • This highway, now complete, eases travel from Jind to Rohtak, Delhi, and Punjab.
• Panipat-Dabwali National Highway:
  • This upcoming project will connect Karnal, Jind, Panipat, Fatehabad, and Sirsa, simplifying travel from Jind to Sirsa.
• Jammu-Katra and Delhi National Highway:
  • Currently under construction by NHAI, this highway will pass through Jind’s Pilukhra, enhancing connectivity between Jammu, Delhi, and Jind while reducing traffic in surrounding areas.

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)

• It was set up under NHAI Act, 1988. It is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
• It has been entrusted with the National Highways Development Project, along with other minor projects for development, maintenance and management.
  • National Highways Development Project (NHDP) is a project to upgrade, rehabilitate and widen major highways in India to a higher standard. The project was started in 1998.
• NHAI maintains the National Highways network to global standards and cost effective manner and promotes economic well being and quality of life of the people.

36 Biradaris

Why in News?

Recently, as the Haryana Assembly elections approach, political parties frequently refer to the “36 biradaris” to signal their commitment to various caste groups.

Key Points

• Meaning of Biradari:
  • Derived from the Persian word baradar, meaning "brotherhood" or "clan."
  • In North India, biradari is often synonymous with caste, though terms like kaum or jaat may also be used.
• Origin of '36 Biradaris':
  • The phrase "36 biradaris" is not literal; it generally refers to various caste groups.
  • Historical sources, such as the Ajmer-Merwar Gazetteer and Lt. Col. James Todd’s writings, mention 36 dynasties or communities in medieval North India.
• Social Role:
  • Biradaris are akin to extended families and play roles in marriages, caste disputes, and social identity.
  • The concept promotes unity and social security, especially in Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan.

National Party

• About: As the name suggests, it has a nationwide presence as opposed to a regional party that is restricted to only a particular state or region.
  • A certain stature is sometimes associated with being a national party, but this does not necessarily translate into having a lot of national political influence.
• Conditions for Declaring a Party ‘National’:
  • As per the ECI’s Political Parties and Election Symbols, 2019 handbook, a political party would be considered a national party if:
    • It is ‘recognised’ in four or more states
    • If its candidates have secured at least 6% of total valid votes in at least 4 states (in latest Lok Sabha or Assembly elections) and the party has at least 4 MPs in the last LS polls
    • If it has won at least 2% of the total seats in the LS from at least 3 states.

State Party

• A party is recognised as a state party in a state if any of the following conditions is fulfilled:
  • If it secures 6% of the valid votes polled in the state at a general election to the respective state legislative assembly (state LA) and also, it wins 2 seats in the same state LA.
  • If it secures 6% of the total valid votes in the state at a general election to the LS; and also, it wins 1 seat in the LS from the same state.
  • If it wins 3% of seats in the LA at a general election to the legislative assembly of the state concerned or 3 seats in the assembly (whichever is more).
  • If it wins 1 seat in the LS for every 25 seats or any fraction thereof allotted to the state at a general election to the LS from the state concerned.
  • If it secures 8% of the total valid votes polled in the state at a General Election to the LS from the state or to the State LA.