THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI SARVEY SATHYANARAYANA)
(a) and (b) The state-wise details of projects awarded under National Highway Development Project (NHDP)
and their status are annexed. These projects are awarded on Item Rate Contracts, Build-Operate and Transfer
(BOT) Toll, Annuity and Engineering, Procurement Construction (EPC). During the last three years and the
current financial year Government has incurred about Rs 50,355 crore for construction of these projects.
(c) and (d) There are delays in 88 numbers of projects, due to problems such as land acquisition,
shifting of utilities, environmental and forest clearance, approval for rail over bridges, law & order
problem as well as shortage of skilled / semi-skilled manpower, poor performance of contractors and
economic slowdown. In order to expedite implementation of the Projects, Regional Offices have been set
up by NHAI headed by Chief General Manager. Powers have been delegated to the Chief General Managers.
Special land acquisition units are also set up to expedite land acquisition. Chief Secretaries of State
Government has also been nominated as Nodal officers to expedite construction of highway projects. Projects
are also closely and periodically reviewed at Headquarter as well as field units. Recently, the issues
of delinking environmental clearance from forest clearance and exempting linear stretches from the requirement
of NOC from Gram Sabha have been resolved. Reserve Bank of India has given dispensation to treat the debt due
to lenders, to the extent assured by Project Authorities in terms of concession agreement, as secured loan.
Disinvestment of 100% equity to other willing buyers has been allowed after completion of the construction
and also substitution of concessionaire allowed after achievement of financial closure to salvage the
languishing projects. The NHAI has also constituted Negotiation / Reconciliation Settlement Committees
and also High Level Expert Settlement Advisory Committee to settle the claims / disputes. The cost overrun
is applicable only in item rate contracts. In such contracts, there is a provision of payment of escalation
due to delays. In case the project is delayed due to reasons attributable to the contractor, liquidity damages
are to be imposed and no escalation is paid. Actual escalation due to delay or cost over-run will be known only
after completion of the project and final settlement of bills.
