New Delhi: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has suspended its General Manager (T) AS Rao in Andhra Pradesh. The decision has been taken by the road regulatory body against Rao for creating the financial liability on the Authority in two highways maintenance projects in the state. An official in the know of the matter said that the decision has been taken by the Authority to send a message down the entire organisation that not even a minor financial irregularity will be tolerated.

An NHAI official, on the condition of anonymity, told PSU Watch, "The suspended GM AS Rao allegedly extended the maintenance contract of two projects – 'Ichhapuram- Srikakulam- Anandapurm section' on NH 16 (old NH 5) and Gunduglanu- Kovur project, without the approval of the road regulatory body, which created financial liability on NHAI in maintenance works in Andhra Pradesh. As a preliminary action, Rao has been suspended with immediate effect." However, the information related to debt has not been given by the Authority.

The official further said that the action has sent a stern warning among NHAI officials to maintain financial discipline at all times and keep the transparency of NHAI functioning intact.

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is an autonomous agency of the government, set up in 1988 and is responsible for the management of a network of over 50,000 km of National Highways out of 1,15,000 km in India. It is a nodal agency of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

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