On Tuesday, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) announced a strict policy in order to deal with important lapses in structures that provide up to Rs 10 crore fine for defaulters other than debarment as nicely as ban on the firm or personnel from bidding on any future NHAI projects for up to a period of 3 years. The goal behind this move by NHAI is to preserve higher excellent requirements in highway improvement, according to an IE report. In situations of minor lapses, important incidents as nicely as important failures resulting in loss of human lives, graded penal action will be taken against the defaulters, NHAI mentioned.
The authority stated that in case of a important lapse top to loss of human life, a heavy fine up to Rs 10 crore and firm/personnel debarment up to 3 years’ period along with rectification by the defaulting contractors or concessionaires on their personal price may well be imposed. For important lapses exactly where there are no reported casualties, rectification by the defaulting contractors or concessionaires on their personal price and/or corporation debarment up to one year with up to Rs 5 crore penalty along with debarment of concerned personnel for up to two years from projects of NHAI has been provisioned, the report stated.
However, in case of minor lapses wherein no casualties are reported, the defaulting contractors or concessionaires will have to bear the expenditures for carrying out the rectification work along with Rs 30 lakh penalty other than a written warning to the corporation as nicely as the personnel involved. According to NHAI, the consultancy corporation involved in the project will be held liable as nicely with up to Rs 40 lakh fine along with debarment from NHAI projects for up to two years, below the graded penalty. The authority additional mentioned that for a period of up to 3 years, important personnel of the consultancy corporation will also be debarred from NHAI projects.
According to the highway authority, the subsequent offence’s penalty shall be enhanced by an further 50 per cent as compared to the penalty that was imposed in the preceding instance for every single repeated lapse by the defaulting contractors/consultants/concessionaires. Also, appropriate action on officials of NHAI shall be taken as nicely, based on the extent of dereliction of the duties by the concerned officer.
To investigate the matter, an Expert Committee will be set up in compliance with an currently established post-accident mechanism as per the SOP. A appropriate penalty will be imposed on the outcome of the investigation, NHAI mentioned. During the investigation term, the concerned personnel of the contractor or concessionaire and the consulting corporation may well be kept below suspension from working on NHAI projects.