Speaking to this newspaper, secretary, ministry of surface transport, R Vasudevan said that the broad contours of the Road Board proposal are being debated within the ministry and are likely to be clear in another two to three months. According to Vasudevan, the idea has yet to crystallise.

"Issues like functions of the board--whether it will be a total regulatory authority with powers of traffic management, highway patrolling and ribbon development activity or another authority will administer financing and rehabilitation functions--are yet to be decided," he said. The creation of Road Board is one of options being considered for administeringa dedicated road fund.

The government is planning to amend the National Highways Act 1956 for creating a dedicated road fund which does not lapse.

The amendment will be placed in Parliament during the current session when the House meets again after a recess. The ministry of surface transport is hoping to get the amendment passed in this session itself. The money from diesel and petrol cess will accrue to the dedicated fund but pending creation of such a fund, it will be go into a public account.