Now, PPP mode road projects under CAG lens

All national highway projects implemented by the Centre on public-private partnership (PPP) mode are the latest to come under the Comptroller and Auditor General of India's (CAG) scanner; Moushumi Das Gupta reports.

All national highway projects implemented by the Centre on public-private partnership (PPP) mode are the latest to come under the Comptroller and Auditor General of India's (CAG) scanner.

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In a first, the CAG is all set to examine over 160 PPP-based highway projects worth over Rs. 97,000 crore implemented by the road transport and highways ministry, an audit exercise that could spell more trouble for the beleaguered UPA government.

“This would be the first time that the CAG would be conducting performance audit of all highway projects under PPP,” said an official privy to the development.

In the last one year, CAG's scathing report on 2G, coal auction and the Delhi airport privatization has generated immense political heat against the UPA government.

The CAG has, in a recent letter to the road ministry, asked it to appoint a nodal officer who will coordinate with CAG officials conducting the performance audit. The first audit meeting of CAG and road ministry officials is schedule to take place on Wednesday.