(a) whether the Planning Commission has criticised the Government for taking up
highway development projects without adequate project preparation leading to
delays and cost overruns;
(b) if so, whether the Government have prepared any action plan to ensure proper
completion of road projects within the stipulated period; and
(c) if so, the facts and details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
DISINVESTMENT, MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINITRIES OF PLANNING,
STATISTICS & PROGRRAMME IMPLEMENTATION AND MINISTER OF STATE IN
THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS AND PUBLIC GRIEVANCES (SHRI ARUN SHOURIE)
(a) Appraisal of a number of revised cost estimate proposals in respect of
national highway projects indicated that inadequate pre-construction activities
including weak project planning and formulation are amongst the main
reasons for time and cost over-runs.
(b) & (c) Ministry of Road Transport and Highways have taken a number of steps to
ensure that projects are completed in stipulated period. These include project
preparation of National Highway major works as per the detailed guidelines
which have been revised and amplified, engagement of experienced
consultants to formulate the projects and holding regular review meetings
with the officers of State Public Works Department with a view to ascertaining
bottlenecks, if any, and to take remedial measures for removal of such
bottlenecks. The regional officers of the Ministry of Road Transport and
Highways have also been directed to furnish monthly report to highlight the
problems/ bottlenecks in the execution of the works so that remedial measures
could be taken.