Bhubaneswar: The State Government has all set to constitute Highway Authority for construction of 75,000 km road and strengthening the existing State Highways.
The State Legislative Assembly passed the Odisha State Highways Authority Bill early this morning on 3 April after a long debate.
The construction and maintenance of all-weather roads is essential to spur the economic development of the State. The State Government has envisaged the implementation of various high value road projects in a smooth and holistic manner with an ambition of developing a 75,000 Km world class road network across the State, said Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan.
To accelerate the development of the above road network of the State, a fast-track approach is needed for matters related to land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement along the corridor, environment and forest clearance and utility shifting or relocation, regulating the traffic on highways and enhancing road user safety, encroachment control and scientific management of highways in the State, he said.
To cater to the growing need for efficient and well-maintained road infrastructure in the state of Odisha, it is felt expedient to establish a dedicated autonomous body with the nomenclature, Odisha State Highways Authority which will be responsible for the planning, development, maintenance, and management of highways and major roads, the Minister said.
As per the Bill, the Odisha State Highways Authority will be notified by the State Government. The Authority will be a body corporate by the name aforesaid having perpetual succession and a common seal, with power to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable, and to contract and shall by the said name sue and be sued.
The Authority will consist of a Chairperson, three or four full-time members of whom one each shall be the member-in-charge of, finance, safety and technology, works contracts and operations, and concessions and public private partnerships and six part-time members, to be appointed by the government.
The Chairperson and full-time Members will be appointed by the State Government, on the recommendation of a Search and Selection Committee consisting of, Chief Secretary – Chairman; an Additional Chief Secretary or a Principal Secretary to be nominated by the Government-Member; and Secretary of Department of Works
The term of office of the members will ordinarily be five years and their conditions of service shall be such as may be prescribed, provided that no person shall be appointed as chairperson or member after he attains the age of sixty-two years or shall serve in such capacity after he attains the age of sixty-five years:
The Authority will meet for a minimum of four times per year and one in each quarter.