Political speed bumps

Conventional wisdom has it that highway construction companies mainly face problems of environment and forest clearances or land acquisition. But, according to the chief executive officer (CEO) of one such company, they are also up against the demands of those members of Parliament and members of legislative Assembly who own land along a highway alignment. All of them invariably want a flyover in front of their houses or lands but no one wants a toll plaza to come up in their area. How should we deal with this, the CEO asked a National Highways Authority official moderating a session at a Ficci event. Unsurprisingly, he didn’t get an answer.