Delay and Deceit: On Allegations against NHIDCL

Of late, the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has been in the news for all the wrong reasons, for alleged inefficiency, poor workmanship and unprecedented delay of road projects in complete contrast to what it aims to champion. Its mission is to develop and deliver “infrastructure projects in a time-bound manner for maximising benefits to all stakeholders”, while its vision is “to fast-pace the construction of National Highways and other infrastructure in the Northeastern Region, near the border and strategic areas...” as per its official website. However, in practice, the centrally owned entity that describes itself as a symbol of modern India’s infrastructural renaissance has fallen short of redefining connectivity in these regions. It has come under fire from various quarters, reportedly for substandard work and unprecedented delays. In a shocking development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has revealed in a statement that it arrested Executive Director and Regional Officer, NHIDCL, Regional Office, Guwahati, for accepting a bribe of INR 10 lakh from a private person on Tuesday “for issuance of favourable extension of time (EOT) and Completion Certificate of the work performed by the private company pertaining to the contract of 4-Laning of National Highway-37 between Demow and the end of Moran Bypass, besides other contracts in the State of Assam.” The country’s premier investigative agency went on to reveal that INR 2.62 crore in cash has been seized during searches at the premises of the accused public servant, who also has huge immovable and movable properties. This only goes on to prove that claims of poor quality work and corruption against the NHIDCL may not be unfounded, and the matter should be seriously looked into with urgency.

This came close on the heels of Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang accusing the NHIDCL of overlooking the state government’s suggestions regarding the construction and maintenance of the NH-29 stretch between Chümoukedima and Kohima, which has been severely impacted by frequent landslides and rockfalls, some of which have resulted in fatalities. Lok Sabha MP Supongmeren Jamir also convened a high-level review meeting with NHIDCL officials last week to take stock of the ongoing national highway projects, including NH-29, and prolonged delays in key road projects across the state. But it’s not an isolated issue. Earlier this week, the Senapati District Students’ Association had sealed the firm’s office at Senapati in Manipur over non-maintenance of the crucial NH-2. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha also criticised the firm recently, stating that the roads they construct deteriorate within just a couple of years. This clearly indicates a pattern of substandard workmanship and delays in the road projects undertaken by the NHIDCL. What the CBI has uncovered in Assam only serves to validate the accusations against the central firm. Being entrusted with the majority of road projects in the Northeast, including 17 ongoing projects (20 projects marked as completed) in Nagaland alone, as per its website, the central construction agency carries a significant responsibility in enhancing connectivity in the neglected region. It cannot afford to compromise the quality of its work, as this would not only inconvenience citizens but also erode public trust.