To fast track highway projects, the Government has decided to go for awarding road projects only after completing 80 per cent land acquisition. The Ministry of Roads, Transport and Highways has also decided to create a shelf of 300 projects with all clearances in place before announcing bids in the coming five years.
“We have taken a decision that without 80 per cent land acquisition, we will not float tenders for highways projects,” said Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Roads, Transport and Highways (MoRTH), speaking at a PPP summit organised by Ficci. Blaming the previous UPA regime for award of projects “without acquiring even 10 per cent of the required land” and causing hardships for road sector, Gadkari said that “a shelf of 300 projects are being created with all regulatory clearances to be bid out in next five to ten years.”
Identifying delays in disposing of the files as another major bottleneck for the sector’s tardy growth, Gadkari said he has urged the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to direct all officials to fast track decisions.
“Time is the most important concept in infrastructure and business and delays cost the country to the tune of Rs 15 crore a day. Files are kept pending for three months to one-and-half-year. I have asked Highways officials to fast track decision and requested the Prime Minister to issue directions to all officials,” he said.
Delays in decision-making have resulted in cost-overruns and projects are pending for environment clearance, land acquisition, transfer of defence land and railway clearances for rail over bridge for up to three years, he said.
“We are introducing a new culture in the Road Ministry to reward those excelling and punish those with poor or defective work besides creation of a Bank of Ideas and Innovation by August 9 to fast-track projects,” Gadkari added. Gadkari under instructions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host monthly meetings to ensure clearances are there for projects.