Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Goa could face a setback in securing Central funding for state road projects after the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) warned that CRIF allocations may be held back if the State fails to meet the scheme’s mandatory requirements.
In a communication issued on August 19, the Ministry pointed to shortcomings in the submission of records by a number of States and Union Territories, with Goa among those flagged. The State has been asked to ensure that all conditions prescribed under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) are followed.
One of the key concerns relates to documentation for completed works. MoRTH said completion reports or certificates, supported by audit verification, are required to be submitted within three months of completion. The Ministry observed that the required documents were not reaching it regularly, affecting compliance with audit-related provisions.
Going forward, the first Utilisation Certificate (UC) submitted by the State in a financial year will have to be accompanied by a list of roads completed during the relevant period. Details of Network Survey Vehicle (NSV) inspections and audit reports covering CRIF-sanctioned works will also have to be included.
The Ministry has separately flagged shortcomings in proposals seeking approval for new road projects. It said project submissions must establish that the full extent of land required is available and free from encumbrances.
Goa will also have to certify that adequate Maintenance and Repair (M&R) arrangements will be made for roads developed under the scheme once the projects are completed.
The use of Network Survey Vehicles has emerged as another area of concern. MoRTH has stressed compliance with the requirement to use NSVs for maintaining road inventories and documenting the condition of roads.
The Ministry’s latest communication follows observations made during audits and calls for tighter adherence to the CRIF framework.
MoRTH has made the financial consequence clear: continued non-compliance with the prescribed criteria and guidelines could lead to funds not being released, potentially affecting the pace of road development projects in Goa.
