Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a deadline of May for the Ministry of Road Transport to emphasize the enhancement of highway quality. This directive comes in response to increasing complaints regarding poor road conditions, particularly during and after the monsoon season. The Prime Minister’s initiatives aim to develop stringent standard operating procedures to improve accountability and consistency in highway construction and maintenance.

Stricter Regulations for Contractors

During a recent review of the highway sector’s progress, PM Modi instructed the ministry to take decisive actions against underperforming contractors and those currently involved in litigation. This decisiveness is intended to reinforce the government’s commitment to combating subpar construction quality and to ensure that contractors are held accountable. Complaints have highlighted instances of inadequate supervision by both government engineers and consulting firms, aggravating the decline in project quality.

Preventing Participation of Blacklisted Contractors

The Prime Minister has called for a mechanism that prevents blacklisted contractors from participating in future bidding processes, even indirectly. Furthermore, contractors who frequently resort to arbitration will receive lower ratings, promoting them to uphold higher construction standards.

Investigation into Land Acquisition Delays

Taking into account potential collusion between contractors and landowners that may be prolonging land acquisition processes, the ministry has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive study on these delays. The findings will help guide the ministry in implementing necessary corrective actions, thereby streamlining future projects.

High-Speed Corridor Operations Under Review

In addition, PM Modi has directed the ministry to analyze the obstacles that hinder high-speed corridors from achieving an operational speed of 70 kilometers per hour. This review aims to identify and address any regulatory limitations that affect the efficiency of these vital transportation routes.

New Guidelines for Subcontracting

Revisions to existing norms are also on the agenda, with the Ministry of Road Transport required to seek prior approvals from relevant authorities before any involvement of subcontractors in new projects. Such measures will help curb unforeseen issues and ensure smoother project execution.

Limitations on Highway Conversions

The Prime Minister has urged the ministry to halt the practice of converting state highways into national highways. This directive signifies a strategic move, given that the current government has considerably expanded the national highway network from approximately 91,300 kilometers to 146,000 kilometers, representing a growth of 60%.

As these initiatives unfold, the overall focus remains on revitalizing the highway infrastructure throughout the country, ensuring safety, reliability, and improved quality. The government remains committed to addressing these challenges as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance transportation networks across India.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share