Par nod to bill seeking expansion of NHAI

A bill seeking to increase the number of members of National Highways Authority of India was passed in Parliament today with the government promising steps to improve the condition of highways and check corruption in NHAI.
The National Highways Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2012 was passed in the Rajya Sabha today. The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha in September last year.
"The bill has limited scope, that is to increase the number of permanent and part-time members in NHAI," Road Transport and Highways Minister Oscar Fernandes said in the Upper House.
Responding to queries of some members on pitiable condition of roads causing accidents and growing corruption in the system, he said "I am very much concerned about this" and adequate measures will be taken to address these issues.

Fernandes said advanced technology is being used at present to repair roads wherever necessary to ensure maintenance-proof highways.
A direction has also been issued to see maintenance work on roads are completed much before monsoon season, he added.

At present the NHAI consists of a chairman, up to five full-time members and up to four part-time members.
The Bill seeks to expand the Authority and it will now consist of a chairman, up to six full-time members and six part-time members.
It mandates that at least two of the part-time members must be non-government professionals with knowledge or experience in financial management, transportation planning or any other relevant discipline.

Induction of outside professionals is expected to enhance the capacity of the NHAI to take strategic decision, widen its perspective, bring in the best management practices, and assist in achieving the goal of higher private participation.
Earlier, participating in the discussion on the bill, members expressed grave concern over the pitiable conditions of national highways leading to a large number of deaths due to accidents.