+
PAC Reviews Toll Levy And Road Quality As NHAI Addresses Concerns
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

PAC Reviews Toll Levy And Road Quality As NHAI Addresses Concerns

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday reviewed the levy and regulation of toll fees, tariffs and user charges on public infrastructure, focusing on road safety, toll collection, construction quality and infrastructure financing. The session included officials from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), audit authorities and concerned organisations. The committee examined regulatory frameworks and operational practices governing tolling and maintenance of national highways. The review formed part of broader parliamentary oversight of public expenditure.

The meeting was chaired by Congress MP K C Venugopal, who described the discussions as productive and noted that the committee reviewed multiple issues related to infrastructure development and highway quality. He said the NHAI had presented a report addressing several previously identified shortcomings in design and construction and that some major concerns were resolved. The committee considered the responses from the authority and sought clarification on implementation timelines and monitoring mechanisms. Officials outlined steps to improve construction standards and toll collection.

The agenda item was titled levy and regulation of fees, tariffs and user charges on public infrastructure and other public utilities, and the committee heard oral evidence from representatives of MoRTH, NHAI and concerned organisations after an initial briefing by audit authorities. Discussions examined road safety measures, the effectiveness of tolling systems, and measures to ensure the quality and durability of highway construction. The exchange encompassed financing arrangements, contract management and accountability in project delivery. Members probed whether current oversight mechanisms and audit recommendations were being implemented effectively.

The meeting followed a PAC sitting on July two that had considered implementation and effectiveness of centrally sponsored welfare schemes in the education sector, and members indicated continued oversight of central expenditure and scheme delivery. The committee signalled that it would monitor corrective measures and expected follow up reports on quality audits and tolling reforms. Officials were asked to provide timelines and supporting evidence for remedial actions and monitoring enhancements. Further hearings were scheduled to ensure that recommendations were translated into on-ground improvements.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday reviewed the levy and regulation of toll fees, tariffs and user charges on public infrastructure, focusing on road safety, toll collection, construction quality and infrastructure financing. The session included officials from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), audit authorities and concerned organisations. The committee examined regulatory frameworks and operational practices governing tolling and maintenance of national highways. The review formed part of broader parliamentary oversight of public expenditure. The meeting was chaired by Congress MP K C Venugopal, who described the discussions as productive and noted that the committee reviewed multiple issues related to infrastructure development and highway quality. He said the NHAI had presented a report addressing several previously identified shortcomings in design and construction and that some major concerns were resolved. The committee considered the responses from the authority and sought clarification on implementation timelines and monitoring mechanisms. Officials outlined steps to improve construction standards and toll collection. The agenda item was titled levy and regulation of fees, tariffs and user charges on public infrastructure and other public utilities, and the committee heard oral evidence from representatives of MoRTH, NHAI and concerned organisations after an initial briefing by audit authorities. Discussions examined road safety measures, the effectiveness of tolling systems, and measures to ensure the quality and durability of highway construction. The exchange encompassed financing arrangements, contract management and accountability in project delivery. Members probed whether current oversight mechanisms and audit recommendations were being implemented effectively. The meeting followed a PAC sitting on July two that had considered implementation and effectiveness of centrally sponsored welfare schemes in the education sector, and members indicated continued oversight of central expenditure and scheme delivery. The committee signalled that it would monitor corrective measures and expected follow up reports on quality audits and tolling reforms. Officials were asked to provide timelines and supporting evidence for remedial actions and monitoring enhancements. Further hearings were scheduled to ensure that recommendations were translated into on-ground improvements.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

L&T Delivers 110 Modules for Australia’s Largest Urea Plant

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has completed the fabrication and delivery of 110 modules for Project CERES, Australia’s largest urea manufacturing plant, marking a significant milestone in the execution of the 2.3 MTPA facility. The project is being developed by Perdaman Chemicals & Fertilisers in Karratha, Western Australia, under the Saipem-Clough Joint Venture. L&T’s scope comprised 47 Pre-assembled Units and 63 Pre-assembled Racks, with the modules weighing approximately 64,000 metric tonnes. Fabricated at the company’s Modular Fabrication Facility at Kattupalli near Chennai, the modules wer..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

EPFO Wage Ceiling Raised to Rs 25,000 per Month

The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal to increase the wage ceiling for mandatory coverage under the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 per month. The move is expected to bring over 51 lakh additional employees under the EPFO social security framework.The revised ceiling will extend access to provident fund savings, pension benefits under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS) and insurance coverage under the Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme (EDLI) to a wider section of employees earning between Rs 15,000 and Rs 25,000 per month.The EPFO..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Maharashtra to Get Rs 270 Billion Shipbuilding Cluster

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) will invest around Rs 27,000 crore to develop a greenfield shipbuilding cluster at Dighi Port in Maharashtra’s Raigad district. The project is expected to create nearly 90,000 employment opportunities, according to the state government.MDL has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with National Shipbuilding and Heavy Industries Park Maharashtra Ltd (NSHIPML) for the development of the project in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.Under the agreement, MDL aims to establish an annual shipbuilding capacity of at least 2 million ..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code