(a) whether there has been considerable delay in the implementation of the Golden Quadrilateral (GQ)
Project and several deficiencies have been brought out in the news-item published in Dainik Jagran
dated May 25, 2007 under the caption `Sadakon ka kaam pichhadne se hazaron crore pani mein`; and
(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto and the remedial steps taken in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF
SHIPPING,ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI T.R. BAALU)
(a) and (b) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) AND (b) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.303
FOR ANSWER ON 5TH SEPTEMBER, 2007 ASKED BY SHRIMATI RUPATAI DILIPRAO NILANGAKAR PATIL
REGARDING DELAY IN GQ PROJECT.
(a) and (b) About 96% of Golden Quadrilateral has been completed as on date.The balance work has not been
completed because of various reasons such as rescinding and reawarding of the contracts of non-performing
contractors, delay in land acquisition, shifting of utilities, environment/forest/Railways clearances etc.
The steps taken by the Government to expedite completion of projects are given in the Annexure.
ANNEXURE
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) AND (b) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 303
FOR ANSWER ON 5TH SEPTEMBER, 2007 ASKED BY SHRIMATI RUPATAI DILIPRAO NILANGAKAR PATIL
REGARDING DELAY IN GQ PROJECT.
The following steps have been taken to ensure early completion of the projects:-
(a) The Contracts are regularly monitored at various levels such as by Supervision Consultant, Project Directors, Senior
officers of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Progress reviews are also held at the level of Chairman, NHAI,
Secretary, Department of Road Transport & Highways and Minister, Shipping Road Transport & Highways.
(b) State Governments have appointed Senior officers as nodal officers for resolving problems associated with implementation
of the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) such as land acquisition, removal of utilities, forest / pollution /
environment clearances etc. These nodal officers hold periodic meetings to review the projects and take action to resolve
the problems.
(c) A Committee of Secretaries has been constituted under Cabinet Secretary to address inter-ministerial and Centre-State
issues such as land acquisition, utility shifting, environment approvals, clearance of Road Over Bridges (ROBs).
(d) The procedure of issue of Land Acquisition notifications has now been simplified.
(e) To expedite the construction of ROBs an officer of the Railways has been posted to NHAI to coordinate with the Ministry
of Railways. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has also been signed with M/s. IRCON for construction of some of
the ROBs.
(f) Action has been taken against non-performing contractors and they are not allowed to bid for future projects unless they
improve the performance in the existing contracts.
(g) Steps have been taken to improve cash flow problems of contractors by granting interest bearing discretionary advance
at the request of contractor, release of retention money against bank guarantee of equal amount, deferment of recovery of
advances (on interest basis) and relaxation in minimum Interim Payments Certificate (IPC) amount.