Realising that the way to electoral success is through road-building, the government has lifted the ban on declaration of new national highways. This will lead to creation of about 7,500 km of national highways by a stroke of pen. Planning Com-mission deputy chairman KC Pant cleared the proposal of the ministry of road transport & highways to upgrade state highways into national highways. It was earlier okayed by the ministry of finance after examination of financial implications, said official sources.