PM Modi sets May deadline to prioritise quality improvement of highways

NEW DELHI: Concerned over numerous complaints about poor-quality highways in recent months, particularly during and after monsoon, PM Narendra Modi has set a May deadline for the road transport ministry to prioritise quality improvement and develop robust standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure accountability and consistency.TOI has learnt that while recently reviewing progress in the highway sector, Modi also asked the ministry to crack down on poorly performing and litigating contractors, a move aimed at sending a strong message to errant highway builders.This comes amid poor construction by contractors, along with inadequate supervision by consultants and govt engineers, contributing to decline in quality of highway projects.In a series of instructions, the PM has asked the ministry to devise a mechanism to ensure that blacklisted contractors are barred from participating in fresh bids, even indirectly. It has also been instructed to identify “litigative behaviour” among contractors and factor this into their ratings. Contractors with a record of frequently invoking arbitrations would get lower ratings.Taking note of the possibility of collusion between contractors and farmers, often leading to delays in land acquisition and subsequent arbitration, the ministry has been asked to conduct a detailed study of this pattern and take corrective measures.Following the directions issued after the review meeting, the ministry will also introduce a mechanism to end the practice of contractors engaging subcontractors without the approval of highway agencies, a factor that directly affects construction quality. Norms are being revised to mandate prior approval from authorities before involving any subcontractors.In another major policy shift, the ministry has also been asked to stop the practice of converting state highways (SHs) into national highways (NHs). Highway development plans, the PM has said, should be “economy-centric”, focusing on improving connectivity between economic centres.The move is significant given that the current govt has expanded the NH network from about 91,300 km in March 2014 to around 1.46 lakh km now, a 60% increase, with rapid NH development being one of its key achievements. People aware of the development said states will retain responsibility for maintaining their highways, while Centre will focus on framing quality-control norms and guiding them.Officials added that PM has also instructed the ministry to study constraints and gaps preventing high-speed corridors from operating at the desired speed of 70 kmph, as against the existing average of 50 kmph, and ensure such deficiencies are eliminated in new projects.