Nitin Gadkari's criticism of NHAI casts shadow on the body's functioning

At the heart of his criticism is the delay in decision making and a lack of monitoring. Some officials, however, blamed the delays on overambitious contractors

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s rebuke — on video — for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) regarding the delay in completing its new office building has cast a shadow on the functioning of the body.

He was remotely inaugurating the new NHAI building in Dwarka, which took nine years to complete.

His principal peeve was the tardiness in decision making and lack of monitoring. Some officials, however, blamed the contractors for this.

“When delays happen, officials do not want to take decisions since they fear corruption charges can be levelled against them,” said an official.

Former road secretary Vijay Chhibber, who also headed