Construction World: National: Wednesday, 8th
July 2026.
The Central Information
Commission (CIC) has advised the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to
publish contract agreements, safety plans and key project documents in the
public domain to promote transparency and accountability. Information Commissioner
Jaya Varma Sinha issued an advisory under the Right to Information Act after
finding that the authority was not placing contract agreement related
information on its website. The commission said contractual and safety
documents directly affect public safety and accountability in infrastructure
projects.
According to the order, proactive disclosure would enhance transparency in public procurement and execution of highway projects, ensure accountability of contractors and the authority in adhering to safety norms, and empower citizens to monitor compliance with safety standards and contractual obligations. The advisory arose from a second appeal by an applicant who sought certified copies of documents relating to construction of flyovers at Shivpuri Bypass Crossing and Medical College Crossing in Jhansi. The commission noted that while the central public information officer had provided the Letter of Award, copies of the contract agreement and approved safety plans had been denied.
The body held that the exemption relied on to withhold the documents had been wrongly applied and was contrary to the RTI Act, and it directed the central public information officer to furnish the requested material. The commission reminded the authority of its obligation to proactively disclose information and referred to the Supreme Court's 2023 judgment in Kishan Chand Jain versus Union of India to stress that transparency laws work when accountability governs the relationship between right holders and duty bearers. It advised the authority to publish the specified documents and to keep them regularly updated.
The commission said that publishing these records would reduce routine RTI applications and strengthen public oversight of highway project delivery and safety compliance. The advisory aims to foster greater openness in infrastructure governance and to build public confidence.
According to the order, proactive disclosure would enhance transparency in public procurement and execution of highway projects, ensure accountability of contractors and the authority in adhering to safety norms, and empower citizens to monitor compliance with safety standards and contractual obligations. The advisory arose from a second appeal by an applicant who sought certified copies of documents relating to construction of flyovers at Shivpuri Bypass Crossing and Medical College Crossing in Jhansi. The commission noted that while the central public information officer had provided the Letter of Award, copies of the contract agreement and approved safety plans had been denied.
The body held that the exemption relied on to withhold the documents had been wrongly applied and was contrary to the RTI Act, and it directed the central public information officer to furnish the requested material. The commission reminded the authority of its obligation to proactively disclose information and referred to the Supreme Court's 2023 judgment in Kishan Chand Jain versus Union of India to stress that transparency laws work when accountability governs the relationship between right holders and duty bearers. It advised the authority to publish the specified documents and to keep them regularly updated.
The commission said that publishing these records would reduce routine RTI applications and strengthen public oversight of highway project delivery and safety compliance. The advisory aims to foster greater openness in infrastructure governance and to build public confidence.
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