Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Rood Transport & Highways and MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari, along with General (Retd.) V K Singh, Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways, reviewed projects of all National Highway development, on January 23 and 24, 2020, at Manesar near Gurugram, Haryana. The review was done statewise. All senior officials of the Ministry, NHAI, State Governments, contractors, concessionaires, and consultants attended the review meeting. Gadkari said that the construction of National Highways in terms of kms per day has been increasing and this is targeted to reach the level of 40 kms per day.
Every ongoing project was reviewed with a 360-degree view from all stakeholders. The meeting led to identification of issues and way forward with clear timelines for most of the delayed projects. The major reasons found were delay in land acquisition by State Governments, delay in regulatory clearances such as for quarrying etc. In addition, lack of coordination and communication between and within government agencies continues to delay decision making. About 740 National Highway Projects of 16 States were reviewed, according to a PIB release.
Gadkari went into the minutest of detail of every project making sure a clear path forward emerged to speed up projects. Officials and contractors also committed to redoubling of efforts to ensure timely completion of projects. The issue of timely approval of Extension of Time (EOT) and change of scope (COS) was particularly raised by the Contractors/ Concessionaire. As the timely approvals would help in facilitating lending by banks, an on-line tool called “GATI” has been launched and this will be closely monitored at the highest level. Gadkari also instructed to start performance audit of officer and fixing of responsibility for delays.
Gadkari decided that monitoring and review at the official level needs greater attention and focus. To deal with this issue, he has directed all chief engineers in the Ministry and all members of NHAI to organise “Review Mondays” on the first and third Monday of every month. On these days, no meetings other than for the purpose of review will be held by officials. Technology and video conferencing will be the means for review and monitoring. Delay in completion of projects has a high probability of leading to claims by contractors and hence the focus on review and monitoring by officials of the ministry will lead to cost savings in addition to timely delivery of projects.
Interacting with media after the meeting, Gadkari on January 24, 2020, informed that 22 Greenfield Corridors of 7,500 km is being developed with a total capital cost of Rs 3.00 lakh crore. Work has started on some while awarding of contracts for all other projects will be completed expeditiously. He added that besides reducing length and decongesting existing NHs, the projects will work as growth engines as they pass through the less developed backward / tribal areas. The development of way-side amenities will result in more opportunities for business and employment.
Gadkari also informed that the pilot project on convergence of National Highway works and conservation of water in Buldhana District in Maharashtra is running successfully. As many as 152 villages benefitted covering a population of 4,83,360 where 22,800 wells were recharged and irrigation facilities increased in 1,525 hectares. He also informed that the progress of FASTags was also reviewed. All 537 Toll Plazas are now ETC enabled and more than 1.37 cores FASTags have been issued. My FASTag App has crossed 10 lakh down loads, he added.