PAC pulls up NHAI over slow National Highway work in Kerala
MP K.C. Venugopal expressed dissatisfaction regarding construction delays and toll plaza issues during a Public Accounts Committee meeting.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) reviewed the slow progress of National Highway construction in Kerala during a meeting in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday, according to The Hindu. PAC chairperson and MP K.C. Venugopal expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of work and requested urgent intervention to speed up projects.
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials informed the committee that the ongoing works are expected to be finished by March 2027. Mr. Venugopal also instructed the NHAI to work with Tamil Nadu to resolve restrictions on transporting construction materials needed for the projects.
The committee raised concerns regarding the delay in conducting safety audits following the Kuriad accident last year. While 170 of the 328 identified locations in Kerala have undergone inspections, a proposal to build viaducts across 73 locations covering 22 km is currently under consideration.
Mr. Venugopal criticised the handling of toll plaza complaints and questioned why toll collection continues at Nattika despite poor road conditions. C.N.
Singh, Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, stated that authorities could look into pausing toll collection if the road is found to be in bad condition.
Officials from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways told the PAC that the ‘Rajmarg Yatra’ app will be used to gather feedback and complaints. NHAI officials noted that seven-metre-wide service roads could be built if the State government provides the necessary land.
The PAC will review the inspection reports within two months to decide on further actions. Mr. Venugopal directed the Chief Secretary to ensure State government intervention to resolve bottlenecks and accelerate construction.