The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) on October 30, 2023, notified Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to curb inflated billing against free-of-cost ash transport.
The following has been stated-
In continuation of the Ministry's letter of even number dated September 26, 2023, it has been decided to adopt the following Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) by MORT&H and its executing agencies in respect of transportation/certifying the fly ash/bottom ash supply to the project site by the vendors engaged by TPPs as well supply being done by the Contractors/Concessionaires through MOU with TPPS.
The following has been stated-
• The agency responsible for execution should collaborate with TPPS to determine the shortest transportation route.
• When Contractors/Concessionaires supply through MOUs with TPPS, they must ensure that the vehicles are geo-tagged.
• Contractors/Concessionaires must share vehicle details used for ash transportation with TPPs for proper cost accounting.
• Measurement should be based on the final or compacted quantities of embankment. AE/IE is required to provide detailed measurements in both cubic meters (cum) and metric tons (MT) based on dry density within 3 days of compaction.
• Given that public funds are used for ash transportation by TPPS, it's essential to certify accurate quantities used in highway construction. Prompt payment to transportation vendors should be ensured to maintain a continuous supply of fly ash for the project's benefit. AE/IE are responsible for accurately calculating quantities of fly ash used in highway embankment construction, considering factors like Original Ground Level, layer dimensions, and conversion of volume to weight in MT based on actual Dry Density. Tests should be conducted at the project site's field laboratories, and the cost of these tests should not be passed on to the transportation vendor.
• EE(NH)/PD or their representatives should conduct random checks, equivalent to at least 3% of the total quantities certified by AE/IE, for cross-verification.
• All Regional Officers/Senior Project Directors should provide a list of relevant road projects and the remaining ash quantities required. Accordingly, they should submit the data for these projects in the attached Excel format within 10 days from the date of this circular to Ministry/NHAI/NHIDCL/BRO headquarters.
