Vajpayee-era autonomy can revitalize NHAI, suggests government panel

NEW DELHI: The Narendra Modi government may have to bring back the days of Atal Bihari Vajpayee to push highway construction and revitalize the sector, a panel appointed by highway ministry has recommended. NHAI had greater autonomy during Vajpayee era in approving and implementing projects, which eroded in the past 10 years.

In its interim report, the panel headed by former Maharashtra PWD secretary R C Sinha has suggested NHAI should get the freedom to decide the mode of change for projects on whether these need to be awarded on build operate and transfer (BOT) or government funding mode.

It should also have the power to make changes in the contract agreements and tender documents. At present, for every small change, the matter is referred to inter-ministerial groups.


On May 19, TOI had first reported that the panel had backed the need to have a secretary rank officer as NHAI chairman and a member to be dedicated only to deal with issues concerning land acquisition and statutory clearances. The panel has suggested the chairman should have two or three years fixed term and the total number of members should be reduced to five from the present strength of six.

Sources said referring to the landmark decision during NDA-I when it launched the Golden Quadrilateral project, the panel suggested that government should approve a programme for road development. Then it should be left to the authority to undertake individual projects and every project need not be brought to the inter-ministerial committees for appraisal and approval.

In 2000, Vajpayee government had taken the decision to delegate financial investment and administrative powers to NHAI and there was hardly any government intervention. The then NHAI chairman during Vajpayee rule, Deepak Das Gupta is also a member of the panel.

The committee has also suggested doing away with the setting up of regional offices and instead suggested opening a few zonal offices, which mainly deal with site clearance issues so that execution becomes smooth.

It has also suggested a way out for projects not taking off due to land availability issue even after NHAI fixes the date to start work. "It has said that appoint date should be 60 days after NHAI has deposited compensation amount with the land acquisition authority. This is because two months after depositing the amount, NHAI can issue notice to vacate the land. It will address a major grey area in project execution," said an NHAI official.