In a detailed update provided in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, outlined the comprehensive efforts by his Ministry in the development and maintenance of National Highways (NHs). The Ministry is responsible for ensuring the continuous upkeep and enhancement of NHs, which involves a range of activities including assessment, rectification, and improvement of road conditions.
Ensuring Accountability Through Enhanced Maintenance Mechanisms
To ensure accountability, the Ministry has established a mechanism for Maintenance and Repair (M&R) of NH sections. For stretches under development or managed by Operation, Maintenance, and Transfer (OMT) Concessions or Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Contracts, responsibility rests with the respective Concessionaires or Contractors until the end of the Defect Liability Period (DLP). For other sections, maintenance is managed through Performance Based Maintenance Contracts (PBMC) or Short Term Maintenance Contracts (STMC), ensuring that no NH section is left without contractual maintenance oversight.
The Ministry collaborates with various executing agencies such as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and state-level Public Works Departments (PWDs) and Road Construction Departments (RCDs). These agencies play a crucial role in maintaining the NHs in a traffic-worthy condition by addressing deficiencies, damages, and enhancing infrastructure.
Key aspects considered in NH development projects include rainfall, flood levels, terrain, and soil categories. Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) incorporate these factors to ensure effective design and construction of drainage systems and cross drainage structures like culverts and bridges.