In order to ensure faster execution of projects, National Highways Authority of India has delegated powers to its Regional Officers for hiring of equipment and laborers up to Rs.10 lacs per project, to demolish structures that fall within the right-of-way of the project. As some of the contracts had no provision for demolition of such structures, there would often be protracted correspondence between the contractors, Project Directors and NHAI headquarters before these could be removed, often leading to delay in execution of projects. With this delegation of power to ROs NHAI will be able to make encumbrance free land available more speedily to the concessionaire/contractors as laid down under the concession agreement or contract. The Regional Officers have also been instructed to ensure measurement of such structures along with videography for record purpose.
NHAI is keen to remove all hurdles for speedy execution of highway projects. This is just one step in a series of delegation of powers at regional level. NHAI has recently delegated powers for construction of foot over bridges under Change of Scope upto Rs. 80 lakh and for 4 and 6 laning projects upto Rs. 1 crore respectively. Similarly, Regional Officers have been delegated the power for maintenance of highways requiring urgent repair works up to Rs. 1 crore. CGM (T) jointly with Regional Officers have also been delegated power for shifting of transmission line/electric line and water pipelines/ other utilities upto Rs 10 crores and Rs 5 crores respectively. All these steps are expected to cut down delays in completion of projects.