SOP Implemented to Tackle Inflated Billing for Free Ash Transport

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRT&H) had released a circular dated September 26, 2023, outlining the guidelines for the transportation and certification of fly ash/bottom ash supply to project sites. In continuation, MoRT&H has issued a circular dated October 30, 2023 providing the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the transportation and certification of fly ash/bottom ash supply to project sites. These SOPs apply to vendors engaged by Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) as well as contractors /concessionaires conducting supply through Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with TPPs.

Highlights of the SOP:

1. The executing agency and TPPs to finalize the shortest transportation route.
2. Geo-tagging of vehicles to be ensured where supply by contractor through MOUs.
3. Details of transporting vehicles to be shared for proper accounting. 
4. Measurement to be based on finished/ compacted quantities. AE/IE to provide detailed measured quantities in cubic metres (cum) and metric tonnes (MT) based on the dry density within three days of compaction.
5.  Certifying the precise quantities of fly ash used shall be a priority. Transportation vendors to be paid promptly. AE/IE to accurately calculate the quantities of fly ash used based on sound engineering practises, taking into account accurate data of the Original Ground Level (OGL), width, and depth of each finished layer of the fly ash embankment. The transportation vendor should not be required to cover any costs associated with these tests.
6. EE(NH)/PD or their representative to conduct a minimum of 3% test checks on the total quantities certified by AE/IE on random basis.
7. ROs and PDs to submit a comprehensive list of road projects, including the amount of remaining ash needed. Data must be submitted for applicable projects in the attached Excel format within 10 days from the date of this circular to the Ministry/NHAI/NHIDCL/BRO headquarter.