NHAI orders strict monitoring of road conditions

New Delhi, March 5 (IANS) The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Monday said it had directed all field officials to strictly monitor the road conditions and take timely action for rectification of damaged stretches.

As per a directive issued by NHAI Chairman Deepak Kumar, damages would be levied and appropriate action for maintenance initiated if a contractor fails to fulfill its contractual operations, and maintenance obligations.

"The NHAI is taking all efforts to ensure that national highways are of good quality, safe, reliable, comfortable for road users, and are maintained well," an official statement said. 

"In a recent directive, NHAI Chairman, Deepak Kumar, has asked all regional officers and project directors to strictly monitor the road conditions and take timely action for rectification of damaged stretches through the concessionaires and contractors if the same is within their scope or through a selected agency, as per the extant policy of NHAI," the statement added.

In the directive, Kumar also emphasised that if there is any laxity on the part of any independent engineer, appropriate action will be taken against them.

Also, in case of the public funded projects (non-PPP Projects) where operations and maintenance obligations is the direct responsibility of NHAI, the project directors/regional officers have been directed to periodically inspect these highways and take remedial measures to ensure that the highway is in traffic worthy condition and conforms to the maintenance requirements at all times, it added.