<h1>India's Road Ministry Faces Funding Shortfall; Seeks Private Sector Help for Highway Maintenance via OMT Initiative.</h1> The Ministry of Road Transport Highways in India receives non-plan allocations from the Ministry of Finance for the maintenance and repair of National Highways, amounting to about 40% of the actual requirements based on stipulated norms. This shortfall has led to inadequate funding distribution across large highway stretches. Despite this, maintenance is conducted annually based on available funds and priority needs. The Ministry has sought increased allocations, resulting in an additional Rs. 300 crore for 2011-12. A policy initiative to involve private sector participation through Operate-Maintain-Transfer (OMT) is also being pursued to optimize resources.