NHAI wants faster resolution of disputes

Sept 12, 2016: Disputes in highway projects should be resolved expeditiously and ideally always on the ground, the moment they arise and before they become unbearable, observed National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

NHAI Chairman Raghav Chandra believes the fewer the disputes, the faster they are resolved and the better becomes the governance. This is a win-win situation for all stakeholders.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Legal Conference on Contractual Matters in Management of National Highways at New Delhi, the chairman said that the Model Concession Agreement creates a framework on trust for resolution of disputes and also to ensure that justice is delivered on both sides i.e. public authority and the private party. Despite this, disputes arise in both BOT and EPC projects.

“The Amendment to Arbitration Act, 2015 lays the framework for faster resolution of disputes and it is extremely essential that we should graduate to adopting resolution of pending disputes under this new Arbitration Act,” he said.

NHAI recently organised a two days Legal Conference-cum-workshop on Contractual Matters in Management of National Highways on September 9 and 10, 2016 with the objective to sensitise its officials to deal with disputes.

All Regional Officers, Project Directors from the field units, officials from NHAI HQ, legal experts and techno-legal experts were invited to attend the Conference.