The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced a new rating system to assess the performance and accountability of concessionaires involved in the development and maintenance of National Highways. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of construction and maintenance on National Highways.
Key Features of the Rating System
- Frequency of Evaluation:
- Concessionaires will be evaluated every six months.
- Ratings will be made available on NHAI’s official website and its social media handles.
- Assessment Methodology:
- The methodology for rating will be based on the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) and Defect Rectification Compliance.
- Over 95 defects can be reported and monitored digitally via the NHAI One App.
- The evaluation will allocate 80% weightage to PCI and 20% weightage to defect rectification compliance on the app.
Pavement Condition Index (PCI) Explained
- What is PCI?
- PCI is a scientific metric that ranges from 0 to 100, indicating pavement conditions from “Excellent” to “Failed.”
- It follows the guidelines set by IRC 82:2023.
- Functional Parameters for PCI Calculation:
- The PCI will be calculated based on six key parameters:
- Roughness
- Potholes
- Cracking
- Ravelling
- Rut Depth
- Patchwork
- The PCI will be calculated based on six key parameters:
- Technology Used:
- The latest technologies like Laser Crack Measurement Systems and Network Survey Vehicles (NSV) will be used to collect data for the PCI.
Concessionaire Rating Categories
- Performance-Based Classification:
- Contractors with a rating of less than 70 out of 100 will be considered “non-performers” and will not be eligible to secure new National Highway projects until their rating improves.
- Two Levels of Evaluation:
- The ratings will be assessed at two levels:
- Individual Project Level
- Concessionaire Level
- The combined rating will be reviewed every 6 months, with each NSV survey cycle.
- The ratings will be assessed at two levels:
Transparent Framework for Accountability
- NHAI’s goal is to establish a transparent system for evaluating concessionaires, ensuring that only the highest quality construction and management standards are met.
- This initiative is expected to improve the safety, smoothness, and overall travel experience on National Highways.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is the main purpose of the NHAI’s new rating system?
- A) To reduce the number of National Highway projects
- B) To assess the quality of construction and maintenance by concessionaires
- C) To monitor the performance of NHAI employees
- D) To evaluate public road safety
- What is the weightage given to the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) in the rating system?
- A) 70%
- B) 80%
- C) 60%
- D) 50%
- Which technology will be used to calculate the PCI?
- A) Drone Surveillance
- B) Laser Crack Measurement Systems and Network Survey Vehicles
- C) Satellite Imagery
- D) Manual Inspections
- What happens if a concessionaire scores less than 70 out of 100?
- A) They are given a warning
- B) They are declared non-performers and ineligible for new projects
- C) They receive financial support from NHAI
- D) They are assigned a higher rating
- How often will the concessionaire ratings be reviewed?
- A) Every year
- B) Every six months
- C) Every three months
- D) Every month