NHAI Strengthens Framework for Engaging Professionals in National Highway Consultancy Contracts
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has amended the Standard Request for Proposal (RFP) documents for Authority Engineer (AE) and Independent Engineer (IE) consultancy services. The primary objective is to strengthen technical supervision of National Highway projects by mandating minimum remuneration to be paid by Consultancy Firms to various categories of professionals in future contracts.
Minimum Remuneration Structure
NHAI has fixed specific minimum monthly remuneration rates for different professional roles. For Key Professionals, the mandated rates are ₹5.00 lakhs for Team Leaders and Bridge/Structural Engineers, ₹2.50 lakhs for Road Safety Experts, and ₹3.50 lakhs for Resident cum Highway Engineers, Program Schedule Reviewers, Senior Quality cum Material Experts, and Senior Pavement Specialists. For other categories, minimum monthly remuneration is set at ₹1.50 lakhs for Sub-Professional (Civil Engineer) and ₹1.00 lakhs for Young Professional (Civil Engineer). Payment of this minimum mandated remuneration will be ensured through an escrow arrangement.
Career Progression and Staffing Requirements
NHAI has revised its policy to create structured career progression opportunities for experienced Site Engineers, removing the previous limitation of a maximum five-year tenure. A key provision mandates that a minimum of 20% of the Sub-Professional Engineering Staff deployed by Authority Engineer and Independent Engineer consultancy firms must comprise previously engaged Site Engineers or Young Professionals from NHAI, MoRTH, or NHIDCL. Furthermore, professionals such as Site Engineers and Young Professionals with five years or more of relevant experience shall receive a minimum monthly remuneration of ₹1.50 lakhs.
Enhanced Selection Process
To ensure the deployment of technically qualified and competent Key Professionals, NHAI has introduced mandatory empanelment and interview requirements through the NHAI Skill Bridge portal. These provisions have been incorporated into the Consultancy Contract Agreements to strengthen the selection process.
Objectives and Expected Outcomes
The revised framework aims to leverage the experience gained by professionals in National Highway planning, construction supervision, and project management while providing meaningful employment opportunities within the highway infrastructure sector. These reforms are designed to institutionalize a sustainable career pathway for engineering professionals, preserve valuable technical knowledge within the sector, enhance the quality and continuity of project supervision, and ultimately contribute to improved project delivery, enhanced quality standards, and greater operational efficiency across the National Highway framework.