Roads Ministry issues public consultation guidelines for highway projects after Public Accounts Committee makes recommendations
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has introduced mandatory public consultation guidelines for future highway projects following recommendations from the Public Accounts Committee. The new rules require consultations with local officials and stricter registration requirements for sub-contractors.
Why it matters
These changes aim to increase transparency and accountability in infrastructure development, addressing long-standing concerns regarding project oversight and commuter facilities.
Taking cognisance of recommendations made by the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, headed by senior Congress leader K.C. Venugopal, the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has informed the panel that it has issued guidelines for structured public consultation in all future highway projects at the stage of preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR).
Under the revised Request for Proposal (RFP) document for inviting bids from consultants to prepare DPRs, a mandatory provision for public consultation has been incorporated.
For all brownfield projects, the Ministry informed the panel that consultations will be held with the village sarpanch, the mayor or chairperson of the municipal body, the District Magistrate, and the State Public Works Department. For greenfield projects, consultations will additionally be held with the local MLA and MP.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in