To enhance the quality and supervision of national highway projects, the

(

) has mandated 10 projects per engineer for consultancy firms. The new directive aims to ensure rigorous monitoring of construction and maintenance activities across the country's expanding highway network.

The NHAI observed that the practice of assigning multiple projects to one engineer was diluting the quality of supervision, potentially compromising the structural integrity and safety of the highways.

"Restricting the maximum number of projects per ‘engineer’ will not only enhance operational efficiency and ensure high-quality implementation as well as maintenance of highways but will also go a long way to ensure a safe, smooth, and seamless travel experience on the National Highways across the country," the authority stated in a release.

This restriction comes in response to concerns that a single designated ‘Engineer’ from a consultancy firm, tasked with overseeing numerous projects, is often unable to fulfill their contractual obligations effectively.

The primary role of this 'engineer' is to control and supervise the adherence to specifications and contract provisions, a responsibility critical to the qualitative and quantitative success of a project.

To allow for a smooth transition, consultancy firms have been given a 60-day period to make the necessary adjustments to comply with the new regulation, a statement by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways said.

The directive includes detailed clauses that will be incorporated into the guidelines for consultancy firms involved in projects under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) and Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode.

These clauses will cover the appointment of Independent Engineers and Authority Engineers, along with a clear delegation of their responsibilities.