New Delhi: The widening of the National Highway -66, which faced major collapse and cracks in Mallapuram, Kannur and Kasargod in recent months, was awarded 54% of the approved cost, while the butterflies between Kadambatkonam and Kazakuttom were awarded about 22% sanctioned cost, which was said in the report on Tuesday.
The committee headed by Congress MP KC Venugopal marked a huge difference between the sanctioned and respected costs and asked if the projects are originally specified in the detailed project report (DPR) and whether the subcontinent has influenced the quality and scale of the work at a low cost.
In its report, the parliamentary panel also cited submissions by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (Morth) to underline that most of the road infrastructure projects were executed by sub-sewers, which could not be accountable under the primary contract framework. The committee said that this uncontrolled layer of contractors and subcontinent had spread accountability as the National Highways Authority of India had taken limited advantage to implement quality standards or ensure timely distribution.
Among other lacunes, the committee stated that many highway stretches have failed due to the use of high soil embankments on unstable soil, without stretch reinforced structures or geogids.
It has also been stated that the lack of land acquisition was not adequately covered with design viability, resulting in unsafe or alignment of compromise. The committee said that recurring deficiencies in national highway construction underlines the failure of NHAI in integrating local technical expertise during DPR and design stages and integrating site-specific inputs.
“Miscellaneous areas and environmental sensations across India call for regular consultation with India’s Geological Survey (GSI) or Central Road Research Institute, State-level Public Works Department, Revenue Officers, or District-Level Engineering Officers. Customized design should be implemented in delicate areas such as climatic areas, paddy areas, etc.
The committee also recommended that a formal machinery be established to be included in the DPR, including MPs, MLAs, MLA, urban and rural local bodies, state-level institutions, disaster management agencies, with written justification for any exclusion.
