Speed up project implementation, meet construction targets, Gadkari tells NHAI

NEW DELHI: Road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari has asked the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to speed up project implementation and meet its project construction targets, besides asking officials to maintain a ‘positive attitude’.

In a day-long review meeting held on Thursday, Gadkari told officials to focus on delivering projects rather than getting stuck in procedures.

Gadkari has assured officials that there is no dearth of funds for projects, and even long-term financial institutions are willing to lend to the authority.


“The minister has motivated officials to maintain a positive attitude and look at achieving our target of awarding and constructing road projects,” said an official in the know. “The 40 kms/day construction target has to be met, NHAI was told,” the official added.

In the current financial year, NHAI has set itself a target of constructing 4,200 kms of roads and awarding projects of cumulative 6,000 kms.

In a statement issued late Thursday evening, the ministry of road transport and highways said that Gadkari has asked NHAI to look at reducing the construction costs through new technology and innovative means in a bid to make projects financially viable.

“There is an urgent need to develop a positive, transparent, corruption free working system with time bound decision making,” the statement said, quoting Gadkari.

Gadkari has also directed regional officers to be proactive in coordinating with district officials to fast track land acquisition and other issues, the statement said.