New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS): A government panel, called “Empowered Institution” and chaired by economic affairs secretary Arvind Mayaram, has given approval to six road projects estimated to cost Rs.2,778.72 crore, an official said Tuesday.

The projects will be developed under the public-private partnership (PPP) mode.

Approval to the projects was granted during the 52nd meeting of the Empowered Institution here Monday, the finance ministry said in a statement.

The approved projects include development and operation of the Sikar-Bikaner bypass section of national highways (NH) 11, development of road from Nelamangala to Chikkaballapura on state highway 74 in Karnataka, and four-laning of Nagpur-Umred-Chandrapur road in Maharashtra.

The panel has also accorded “in principle” approval to five road sector projects including three projects of the government of Maharashtra and one project of the government of Karnataka.

The panel has also given the nod to Rs.555.72 crore viability gap funding for these projects.