Thiruvananthapuram: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has identified serious lapses in the design, construction and supervision relating to national highway (NH) projects in Kerala. In its report, the PAC recommended a performance audit of NH works by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) and regulations on giving sub-contracts.

The significant observations of the committee, chaired by K C Venugopal, a Congress MP, include:

  • The Chairman of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has admitted to lapses in the design of the highway in Kasaragod, Malappuram and Kannur districts.
  • Errors in the design led to the collapse of the newly constructed highway at Kooriyad in Malappuram. Follow-up measures will be taken in this regard based on the report of an expert panel.
  • There are discrepancies between the alignment of the national highway and the construction.
  • An independent agency should evaluate the functioning of the NHAI.
  • Toll collection should cease until work on the service roads is completed.
  • No toll should be collected on stretches such as Aroor and Paliyekkara where the work is incomplete or the roads are impassable.

Although ₹3,684.98 crore was allotted for the highway stretch between Kadambattukonam and Kazhakkoottam, the sub-contract was awarded for a mere ₹795 crore. The PAC said that sub-contracts should be stopped as they lead to corruption and nepotism. Action should also be taken against the main contractor for lapses by the sub-contractor, said the report.

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