NHAI draws CAG ire for delays

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has drawn flak from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) for potential loss of Rs. 874 crore on account of delays in connecting major ports with highways.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has drawn flak from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) for potential loss of Rs. 874 crore on account of delays in connecting major ports with highways.

HT Image

The authority also incurred a revenue loss of over Rs. 127 crore on account of delay in setting up Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs). While five of the Rs. 3,157 crore projects are yet to be completed, four saw delays of up to 53 months, the CAG said in its report tabled in Parliament on Tuesday.

"Due to ineffective toll collection operations of SPVs, toll collection was either delayed or suspended and SPVs sustained revenue loss of Rs. 127.68 crore. The potential loss of toll revenue, due to delay in completion of PRC projects, worked out to Rs. 873.85 crore," the government auditor said.

The government in 2000 had approved these nine projects worth Rs. 3,157 crore at JNPT, Mumbai, Cochin, Paradip, Mormugao, Calcutta-Haldia, New Mangalore, Chennai-Ennore and Tuticorin.

This was to provide four-lane connectivity to the major ports on build, operate and transfer basis through the SPVs.