Government to Expedite Projects under NHDP
The Government of India
has taken several initiatives to expedite highway projects under the National
Highway Development Project (NHDP). These are –
NHAI Board has approved formation of a High Level Expert Settlement
Advisory Committee for one time settlement of old cases pending in court.
A
new model of Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) contracts is being
brought in. Highways which are not viable to be constructed under
the BOT (toll) mode will be taken up under the new EPC
mode. Under this modified turnkey EPC note, the Government will
provide 100% funding.
The Government has also
decided to introduce passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for
electronic toll collection at the toll boards. This will remove
bottlenecks at the toll booths and ensure seamless movement of traffic.
NHAI
has taken up award of select highway projects to the private sector under an
Operate, Maintain, and Transfer (OMT) concession. Till recently the tasks
of toll collection and highway maintenance were entrusted to tolling agents and
sub contractors respectively.
Under directive from NHAI most states have constituted high level
committees under their Chief Secretaries for monitoring pre construction
activities of NHAI projects. The NHAI regional officer is the Member
Secretary.
Substantial financial powers have been delegated to the regional
officers of NHAI for facilitating speedy processing and approvals for
acquisition of land.
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