The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has enacted a policy that restricts each designated engineer from consultancy firms to a maximum of 10 projects. This measure aims to enhance oversight and ensure that engineers can effectively supervise and manage their assigned projects.
The policy responds to concerns that consultancy firms were overloading individual engineers by assigning them numerous projects, which could potentially undermine the quality of supervision and compliance with contractual obligations.
By limiting the number of projects per engineer, NHAI seeks to promote more focused and effective monitoring, thereby improving the overall quality and delivery of infrastructure projects under its jurisdiction. According to the new guidelines, each designated engineer must visit project sites on a monthly basis and provide inputs for the monthly progress report, in line with the consultancy and civil contract stipulations.
This initiative is intended to ensure that engineers can allocate sufficient time and attention to each project, enabling timely identification and resolution of issues. The cap will take effect after a 60-day period, allowing consultancy firms to adjust their operations and reassign projects as needed.
This transition phase is designed to minimize disruption and facilitate a smooth implementation of the new policy. This initiative is part of NHAI’s continuous efforts to enhance project governance and achieve better infrastructure outcomes. By improving the capacity of engineers to oversee projects effectively, NHAI aims to elevate the quality and safety of national highways, contributing to safer and more efficient travel throughout the country.
The decision has been positively received by industry experts, who regard it as a constructive step towards ensuring that infrastructure projects adhere to the highest standards of quality and safety.
As India continues to invest in its road infrastructure, initiatives like this are vital for achieving sustainable and equitable development. In summary, NHAI’s decision to limit the number of projects per engineer is a significant move towards enhancing the management and quality of infrastructure projects.
