Sources said the expressways, planned under the Rs 16,680-crore National Highway Development Programme's sixth phase (NHDPVI), would run parallel to the existing highways and would have underpasses, flyovers and barriers to ensure that cattle and humans do not obstruct high-speed traffic movement.

The roads and highways ministry is setting itself an ambitious target of completing the feasibility studies over the next eight to nine months and awarding contracts towards end-2007. Construction is expected to take anywhere between three and four years, an official said.

But given the NHAI's track record, sceptics within the government said the proposed target may be difficult to achieve. They pointed out that the expressways planned may not generate adequate traffic to justify additional cost. Besides, land acquisition, which has been a sore point and one of the major reasons for the delay in even the first phase of NHDP, could slow down the ambitious plan.