After 17 months,NHAI gets a full-time chief

Days after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh chaired a high powered meeting to boost infrastructure sectors,the National Highways Authority of India has finally been given a full time chairman

Days after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh chaired a high powered meeting to boost infrastructure sectors,the National Highways Authority of India has finally been given a full time chairman. The Appointments Committee of Cabinet on Monday approved the appointment of former Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) secretary Rajinder Pal Singh as chairman of NHAI.

Shri Singh,an IAS officer of 1976 batch of Andhra Pradesh Cadre (Retired) will hold the office for a period of three years with effect from the date of assumption of charge or till the age of 65 years or until further orders,whichever is the earliest, an official release said.

The highways authority has not had a full time chairman for over 17 months now. Singh will take over from road transport and highways secretary AK Upadhyay who has been who had the additional charge as NHAI chairman for over the year. The top job at NHAI fell vacant in August 2010 after the retirement of Brijeshwar Singh,who was on extension till December 2010.

The government finally advertised for a full-time NHAI chairman in January this year. A selection committee headed by Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth had shortlisted three candidates from a list of 71 applicants. The three top contenders included AV Sinha,a former director general in the ministry of road transport and highways,RC Mishra,the Central Provident Fund Commissioner,and RP Singh.

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