NHAI Caps Project Allocation Per Engineer At 10 To Enhance Supervision Quality On National Highways

In a bid to improve quality control and supervision of National Highway works, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has issued new guidelines limiting each designated ‘Engineer’ from consultancy firms to a maximum of 10 projects.

This move is aimed at addressing concerns over diluted oversight due to overburdened supervisory personnel.

"It was observed that the Consultancy Firms working as Independent Engineer, Authority Engineer or Supervision Consultant are assigning supervision obligations of many projects to a designated ‘Engineer’," the Road Transport and Highways Ministry said in a statement on Thursday (12 June).

"The compliance of specifications and contract provisions is primarily controlled and supervised by the Consultant’s team through the designated ‘Engineer’ assigned to a particular project," the ministry said.

"Due to more number of projects in hand, the designated ‘Engineer’ may not be able to fulfil contractual obligations, defeating the purpose of qualitative and quantitative monitoring of the projects," the statement added.

The ministry said that detailed clauses have also been included in the guidelines for consultancy firms implementing and maintaining National Highway projects on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) and Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode.

These clauses include provisions for the appointment of Independent Engineers/Authority Engineers and delegation of responsibilities. 

"The designated ‘Engineer’ from the Consulting firm is required to visit the assigned project site every month and provide inputs in the Monthly Progress Report as per Consultancy and Civil contract provisions," the ministry said.

According to the ministry, the restriction of a maximum of ten projects per ‘Engineer’ will come into effect after 60 days, providing time to the consultancy firms to make appropriate adjustments in this period.

"Restricting the maximum number of projects per ‘Engineer’ will not only enhance operational efficiency and ensure high quality implementation as well as maintenance of highways but will also go a long way to ensure safe, smooth, and seamless travel experience on the National Highways across the country," the ministry added.

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