NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday directed the highway owning agencies to focus more on quality of work and “safety” aspects of the projects.
TOI has learnt that the PM made these remarks while chairing a meeting on the infrastructure sector. The remarks came a day after a span between two pillars of an under-construction flyover in the capital, a part of the upcoming Dwarka Expressway, collapsed killing the driver of an earthmover.
In recent months, there have been instances of portions of under construction bridges and flyovers collapsing. There have also been cases of newly completed roads, including national and state highways, caving in barely weeks after inauguration.
Officials added that the highway owning agencies, including NHAI, are putting greater focus on safety at construction sites amid indications that there is a rush to complete projects in time. Sources said while the government agencies have taken punitive steps such as blacklisting of construction companies and supervision engineers, so far any responsibility of officers concerned has hardly been fixed.
“A detailed standard operating procedure (SOP) for inspection of failed structures has been notified and we have empanelled experts to investigate such cases. The regional officers (ROs) have been directed to take remedial measures suggested by the experts committee in a time-bound manner. It’s mandatory for ROs to submit daily action taken reports till remedial measures are completed,” said an NHAI official.
Sources said during the meeting on Thursday, the PM directed the road transport and highways ministry to work on a comprehensive plan to provide high-speed connectivity to hubs of economic activities, trade, mines and tourist places.
Chairing another meeting on the shipping sector, Modi asked the port and shipping ministry to focus on how to increase the number of Indian seafarers. He cited the example of the Philippines which has a higher number of seafarers despite being a smaller country.
TOI has learnt that the PM made these remarks while chairing a meeting on the infrastructure sector. The remarks came a day after a span between two pillars of an under-construction flyover in the capital, a part of the upcoming Dwarka Expressway, collapsed killing the driver of an earthmover.
In recent months, there have been instances of portions of under construction bridges and flyovers collapsing. There have also been cases of newly completed roads, including national and state highways, caving in barely weeks after inauguration.
Officials added that the highway owning agencies, including NHAI, are putting greater focus on safety at construction sites amid indications that there is a rush to complete projects in time. Sources said while the government agencies have taken punitive steps such as blacklisting of construction companies and supervision engineers, so far any responsibility of officers concerned has hardly been fixed.
“A detailed standard operating procedure (SOP) for inspection of failed structures has been notified and we have empanelled experts to investigate such cases. The regional officers (ROs) have been directed to take remedial measures suggested by the experts committee in a time-bound manner. It’s mandatory for ROs to submit daily action taken reports till remedial measures are completed,” said an NHAI official.
Sources said during the meeting on Thursday, the PM directed the road transport and highways ministry to work on a comprehensive plan to provide high-speed connectivity to hubs of economic activities, trade, mines and tourist places.
Chairing another meeting on the shipping sector, Modi asked the port and shipping ministry to focus on how to increase the number of Indian seafarers. He cited the example of the Philippines which has a higher number of seafarers despite being a smaller country.
