NHAI must reflect on working method

ALREADY facing the heat over a 40-hour traffic jam that resulted in three deaths last week, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is being strongly criticised for its handling of the issue. Its stance in the Madhya Pradesh High Court has been termed callous and insensitive, reflecting a mindset that is unaffected by the ground reality. During the hearing on a public interest litigation, the NHAI was pulled up for faulty and delayed roadwork that led to the gridlock on the Indore-Dewas section of the Agra-Mumbai National Highway. Its legal counsel’s remark — “Why do people even leave home so early without any work?” — has sparked outrage. Where an apology was needed, the road authority chose to shift the blame.

The unending inconvenience during construction of big road and highway projects is a daily experience for Indian commuters. Adoption of best practices and ensuring minimum traffic bottlenecks remain missing at most sites. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has been actively promoting upscaling of road quality and safety parameters, but even he would admit that there’s immense scope for improvement. NHAI’s tasks are demanding. There are topographical challenges and land acquisition wrangles, but the critical performance area is the work on the ground — done largely through construction firms and contractors. Experience, competence, ethics, all factors play a role. The quality and pace of work can become flashpoints. A minister in Himachal Pradesh has been booked for thrashing two NHAI officials, leading to accusations and counter-accusations.

India’s road network has vastly improved in recent years, and the agencies involved deserve credit. The report card has many negatives too — no sanctity attached to the timelines, or accountability for the delay, faulty work and incompetence. NHAI must reflect on its working method and rise above the constraints.

Editorials