Road Ministry may seek greater autonomy from new govt

Ministry cites project delays, seeks free hand to take decisions for speedy execution of highway projects

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways may seek greater autonomy in decision making for faster implementation of projects from Prime Minister- designate Narendra Modi when he assumes charge next week.

According to an official in the ministry, more autonomy or free hand is needed for decision making for speedy execution of highway projects.

He said the work on various road projects in the past have been delayed either due to hindrances in acquiring land or obtaining necessary environment and forest clearances.

The ministry is also of the view that various inter- ministerial groups should be dissolved as they only delay project implementation.

Modi, along with his Cabinet Ministers, will take oath on May 26. Infrastructure projects are likely to get a major push under his regime.

The new government is expected to set a target of building 25 km of roads per day.

"It is doable," the ministry official said, when asked whether meeting such a target would be feasible.

The earlier government had set a target of awarding 7,000 km worth of road projects during the financial year 2014-15, under the BOT (build, own, operate) and EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) models.

The ministry which had set a target of awarding 9,000 km of projects in 2013-14, could award less than 2,000 km projects by the end of the period.