India revolutionizes highway approvals | Fusion - WeRIndia

In a significant leap towards modernization, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has introduced a groundbreaking paperless standard operating procedure (SoP).

This initiative is set to transform the sanction and approval process for national highways. In addition, it also intends to ensure a faster and more efficient system.

Effective this month, the SoP is now a mandate across various bodies. These include the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), state governments, the Border Roads Organisation, and many others.

At the core of this transformation is the shift to electronic files. Each highway project will now have an e-file detailing its name and sanctioned cost.

This move promises to trim down approval times from days to mere minutes. All necessary information and sanctions are to be obtained online, streamlining the entire process.

Furthermore, the involvement of chief engineers aims to enhance due diligence and hasten project execution.

This electronic sanctioning method is set to notify all relevant parties swiftly, maintaining a digital record of all processed and approved estimates.

The planning and monitoring zone is granted master access to real-time national sanction details.

This transparency and accessibility are expected to smoothen project awards and updates significantly.

Post-award, the data is updated on the Management Information System and locked as per the agreement.

This innovative approach is anticipated to accelerate the highway sanction process notably.

Such efficiency is crucial for India’s ambitious Vision 2047, targeting the execution of over 50,000 km of sophisticated highway projects.

With construction metrics showing an uptick in FY24 to 12,300 km, the digital shift is timely.

This digital leap promises to expedite the highway development process. Besides, it also aligns with the government’s futuristic infrastructure goals.

As India strides towards its Vision 2047, this paperless SoP marks a pivotal step in building a more connected and accessible nation.

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