NHAI Invites Bids for Enhancement of Delhi-Ghaziabad Road Outside Its Jurisdiction

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has raised eyebrows by floating a tender for the one-time improvement of a 14.4 km stretch of the old GT Road from Lal Kuan in Ghaziabad to Gyani Border (Delhi/UP Border). This move has prompted questions regarding the authority's ability to invite bids for a road project that has not been officially entrusted to it.

NHAI officials have acknowledged that the stretch in question has not yet been entrusted to the authority. Despite this, a senior official stated, "Bids will be received and opened only after necessary entrustment." The stretch, though previously designated a national highway (NH) and referred to as GT Road, is not explicitly labeled as an NH in the bid document.

According to the tender document, NHAI plans to allocate approximately Rs 371 crore for the road improvement, and the selected contractor will be responsible for maintaining the stretch for five years. While the necessity for improvement due to heavy traffic flow and congestion is recognized, NHAI cannot utilize government funds for the project unless formally tasked with the work, and the stretch is officially notified as an NH by the Central Government.

This development comes on the heels of a recent communication from the road transport ministry to NHAI, highlighting concerns about the agency bypassing norms. The ministry expressed reservations about NHAI undertaking works and awarding contracts for road widening before official entrustment and notification. The ministry has requested NHAI to provide a comprehensive list of all stretches where work has been awarded.

In the communication, the ministry emphasized the need for civil work agreements to be signed only after the section is declared an NH and officially entrusted to NHAI. It urged NHAI to initiate new projects only as part of approved schemes or entrusted endeavors, obtaining formal concurrence from the ministry before commencing any new work.

Officials stressed the importance of adhering to norms, considering that NHAI's budget is allocated for specific works, and the annual budget of some departments is less than the cost of this project. This controversy underscores the need for procedural compliance and clarity in the execution of infrastructure projects by NHAI.

ET