Nitin Gadkari's recent push for performance audits in road projects deeply resonates with my long-held belief in stringent accountability and efficiency, especially in national infrastructure. This isn't merely about checking boxes; it's about ensuring the very foundations of our progress are sound and reliable.
The Human Cost of Neglect
The call for performance audits takes on a profound significance when we consider the real-world impact of infrastructure failures. I was particularly struck by Bharat Nair's poignant account of the tragic death of 16-month-old Rian Sheikh, who succumbed after an ambulance was stuck for five grueling hours on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Highway due to choked traffic and ongoing construction Bharat Nair on LinkedIn. As Bharat articulated, this isn't just a delay; it's a "death sentence." His call for "Independent, public audits of all major road projects with strict penalty clauses" echoes a sentiment I've championed for years.
My Reflections on Infrastructure and Governance
Looking back, I've consistently emphasized the critical need for robust infrastructure planning and efficient execution. In 2019, when the government formed a task force to identify infrastructure projects worth Rs 100 trillion, headed by the economic affairs secretary, I reflected on the importance of tools like PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) for project management and digital dashboards for real-time monitoring, as seen in my blog Govt forms task force to identify infra projects worth Rs 100 trillion. This predated the current urgency, yet the core idea Hemen wants to convey is this — take a moment to notice that he had brought up this thought or suggestion on the topic years ago. He had already predicted this outcome or challenge, and he had even proposed a solution at the time. Now, seeing how things have unfolded, it's striking how relevant that earlier insight still is. Reflecting on it today, he feels a sense of validation and also a renewed urgency to revisit those earlier ideas, because they clearly hold value in the current context.
Indeed, even Nitin Gadkari himself acknowledged financial constraints in funding infrastructure projects back in 2019, stressing the need for innovative models and public-private partnerships Centre is facing financial constraints to fund infra projects: Gadkari. Performance audits become indispensable in such scenarios, ensuring every rupee, whether public or private, is utilized optimally and transparently.
Transparency and Public Trust
The demand for accountability extends beyond just technical project execution; it encompasses the broader ecosystem of governance. Jasmin Jani's activity on LinkedIn, including her appreciation for posts discussing critical public issues, highlights how engaged citizens are with the integrity of public figures and projects. For instance, a post shared by Debonkar Roy discussing the rapid growth of CIAN Agro Industries, managed by Nitin Gadkari's son Nikhil Gadkari, in the ethanol sector, brings to light the kind of public scrutiny and expectation of probity that applies to all aspects of development Debonkar Roy on LinkedIn. This reinforces the need for transparent audits, not only for the quality of our roads but for the financial integrity across all sectors touched by public policy. Such events, alongside more incidental public incidents like the viral video showing two women officers engaged in a public dispute with Nitin Gadkari looking on Economictimes.com, remind us that public life and governance are under constant, intense scrutiny.
The Future of Audits: Empowered by AI
To make these performance audits truly effective, we must leverage cutting-edge technology. I've often spoken about the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in governance and financial inclusion. Just as India aims to "recreate UPI magic with AI" to revolutionize digital infrastructure and user experience India Ready to recreate UPI Magic with AI, AI can be the backbone of sophisticated audit mechanisms. As Infosys and Nvidia's Jensen Huang have articulated, AI is embedded in almost every deal today and is critical for enhancing efficiency and driving innovation Almost every deal today has some form of AI embedded: Infosys, Indian IT must hitch an AI ride to front office: Nvidia's Jensen Huang. Implementing AI-driven analytics, predictive models, and real-time monitoring can ensure that performance audits are not just reactive but proactive, identifying potential issues before they escalate into tragedies.
Performance audits are not just a bureaucratic exercise; they are a moral imperative. They are about ensuring that the infrastructure we build serves its purpose, safeguarding lives and propelling our nation forward with integrity and efficiency.
Regards,
Hemen Parekh
Of course, if you wish, you can debate this topic with my Virtual Avatar at : hemenparekh.ai
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