The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has set key milestones for various stages of road development projects.
This initiative, aimed at speeding up approvals and minimizing delays, is expected to significantly enhance the efficiency of road infrastructure projects, including those in Assam. The new guidelines, recently communicated to national road development agencies such as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), set clear timelines for critical stages of the project. These milestones, including land acquisition, environmental clearances, and forest and wildlife approvals, aim to avoid unnecessary delays in the construction of national highways once the work has been awarded.
The first milestone concerns environmental clearance, which must begin after the approval of the highway alignment and be completed before the receipt of any bids. Similarly, forest clearances should be initiated once the alignment is approved and finished before the Letter of Acceptance (LOA) is issued. Wildlife clearances will also follow the same timeline, beginning from the approval of the alignment and ending prior to the bid submission. Land acquisition is another key focus area in the new guidelines. The agencies involved in highway development must issue the required land acquisition notification within 60 days of the road alignment’s approval. The completion of land acquisition is expected to follow strict timelines throughout the construction process to avoid delays. This sets the stage for smoother coordination between land acquisition and other project-related clearances.
Additionally, the Ministry’s directive ensures that approval processes with other key stakeholders, such as the Railways and Inland Waterways Authority of India, also adhere to specific timelines. For instance, General Arrangement Drawings (GAD) should be obtained at the drafting stage of the feasibility report and finalised before the receipt of bids. Utility shifting estimates, likewise, are to be initiated at the feasibility report stage and completed before bids are issued. These new milestones will not only be applied to projects in Assam but will also extend to upcoming pipeline projects and highway developments throughout the country. The decision reflects the Ministry’s broader strategy to synchronize the approval process with construction activities, addressing time delays, cost overruns, and contractual disputes that have often hindered infrastructure projects.
By ensuring that key clearances and processes are initiated and completed in advance, the Ministry hopes to prevent roadblocks that cause significant delays once construction begins. This proactive approach is set to promote the timely and efficient completion of national highway projects, which are essential for improving connectivity, economic activity, and regional development across India. As of June 1, 2025, the new guidelines will be strictly enforced, ensuring that all agencies involved in highway projects will adhere to these milestones when issuing tenders and awarding contracts. The move is expected to be a game-changer in reducing bottlenecks and accelerating the pace of road construction across the country, especially in Assam, where infrastructure development is crucial for regional growth and connectivity.
This initiative by MoRTH represents a decisive step forward in ensuring that road projects across India are executed with greater efficiency, bringing the country closer to its infrastructure development goals. With clear milestones in place, it is anticipated that national highways will not only be completed on time but also meet higher standards of safety, sustainability, and environmental compliance.
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