The government is in the process of formulating a policy to guarantee pothole-free national highways by the end of this year. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari stated on Thursday that the construction of roads under the Built-Operate-Transfer (BOT) mode is being favored, given the superior maintenance standards associated with such projects.
With the goal of ensuring pothole-free national highways by the end of December this year, the Road Transport and Highways Ministry is finalizing performance-based maintenance contracts as well as short-term maintenance agreements.
Traditionally, road construction occurs through three methods: Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT), Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC), and the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM).
“Roads constructed under the EPC model often require early maintenance, while those under the BOT model are built more robustly as the contractor is aware of bearing maintenance costs for the next 15-20 years.
“That’s why we are significantly promoting road construction under the BOT model,” stated the Road Transport and Highways Minister during a media briefing on his ministry’s various initiatives.
Acknowledging that rainfall can lead to highway damage and potholes, Gadkari highlighted that the ministry is conducting a safety audit of national highways.
