In a significant move towards greater transparency in infrastructure development, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced that all highway projects across India will soon feature comprehensive display boards detailing contractor information and responsible officers.
The initiative, revealed during a recent address, aims to enhance accountability and improve project monitoring by making key stakeholder information publicly accessible at construction sites.
Boosting Public Accountability
According to Gadkari, these information boards will serve multiple purposes:
- Provide clear identification of contractors executing the work
- Display contact details of responsible officers and engineers
- Enable better public oversight of project progress
- Facilitate direct feedback mechanism for citizens
- Improve quality control through enhanced transparency
Addressing Quality Concerns
The minister emphasized that this measure directly addresses concerns about road quality and construction standards. By making contractor and officer details publicly visible, the government aims to create a system where accountability is not just internal but also subject to public scrutiny.
"This transparency initiative will ensure that citizens know exactly who is responsible for each segment of highway construction," Gadkari stated, highlighting how this approach aligns with the government's broader governance reforms.
Implementation Timeline
While specific implementation dates weren't disclosed, the minister indicated that the directive would be rolled out across National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) projects in the coming months. The move is expected to cover both ongoing and new highway construction projects nationwide.
This transparency push comes as India continues its massive highway expansion program, with thousands of kilometers of new roads being constructed annually under the Bharatmala Pariyojana and other infrastructure initiatives.
