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Journalism of Courage
To study the damage caused to 2,100 km of national highways in Uttarakhand,the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways plans to engage a private consultant to suggest ways to sustain durability and stability of roads in the hills.
We are planning to appoint an agency through bidding to get feedback on the durability and stability of the national highways in Uttarakhand, A K Srivastava,chief engineer in the ministry said.
The move indicates the ministrys plan to adopt the Engineering,Procurement and Construction model to enable the entry of private contractors in hilly areas that are considered strategically important as far as defence is concerned.
However,top officials of the ministry and the Border Road Organization BRO refused to comment on the purpose of engaging a private consultant for the study of the damages caused.
With private contractors set to be engaged,the BRO,which is assigned to maintain and repair about 800 km of national highways in Uttarakhand,would be a major loser.
