NHAI chief eased out for permanent work in progress
The government has given marching orders to National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) chairman Gokul Ram due to the slow progress in implementation of highways projects.
By Gunjan Pradhan Sinha, ET Bureau |
NEW DELHI: The government has given marching orders to National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) chairman Gokul Ram due to the slow progress in implementation of highways projects. Mr Ram was appointed as NHAI chairman in October last year for a three-year tenure.
The move came after a review by the Prime Minister���s infrastructure committee found huge gaps in the award of projects on the UPA���s flagship national highway development programme (NHDP). Even in cases where shortlisting has been done by the NHAI, road developers approached the Delhi High Court stating that the bidding process favoured large players. The reason being road sector is dominated by small and medium-size players with only six major players active in the field.
It is learnt from official sources that Mr Ram will be replaced by Mr Brijeshwar Singh, who is a 1975-batch Tamil Nadu cadre officer. Mr Ram will join Planning Commission as principal advisor.
In its explanation, the NHAI has said that all delays in awarding road projects were on account of complexities in the model concession agreement prepared by the Planning Commission and the marking system devised by the same.
According to industry sources, differences between the administrative ministry and the NHAI have also fuelled the change. The post has a fixed tenure of three years but Mr Ram served about 11 months only. Another reason for the change, say government officials, is that the post of NHAI chairman is usually given to officers of additional secretary rank and Mr Ram was promoted as secretary a few months ago.
In a report placed by ministry of road transport and highways (MORTH) before the Prime Minister���s infrastructure committee in March this year, it was found that the four-laning of 437 kms on NHDP I in 2007-08 had seen only 49% completion.
The move came after a review by the Prime Minister���s infrastructure committee found huge gaps in the award of projects on the UPA���s flagship national highway development programme (NHDP). Even in cases where shortlisting has been done by the NHAI, road developers approached the Delhi High Court stating that the bidding process favoured large players. The reason being road sector is dominated by small and medium-size players with only six major players active in the field.
It is learnt from official sources that Mr Ram will be replaced by Mr Brijeshwar Singh, who is a 1975-batch Tamil Nadu cadre officer. Mr Ram will join Planning Commission as principal advisor.
In its explanation, the NHAI has said that all delays in awarding road projects were on account of complexities in the model concession agreement prepared by the Planning Commission and the marking system devised by the same.
According to industry sources, differences between the administrative ministry and the NHAI have also fuelled the change. The post has a fixed tenure of three years but Mr Ram served about 11 months only. Another reason for the change, say government officials, is that the post of NHAI chairman is usually given to officers of additional secretary rank and Mr Ram was promoted as secretary a few months ago.
In a report placed by ministry of road transport and highways (MORTH) before the Prime Minister���s infrastructure committee in March this year, it was found that the four-laning of 437 kms on NHDP I in 2007-08 had seen only 49% completion.
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