The turmoil on the state’s political horizon has put the Bihar Road Assets Maintenance Policy on hold.

The policy, which got cabinet approval in February, would have given the road construction department leverage to explore the option of private investment for constructing state highways. It would also boost quick repair of damaged roads — state highways (4,857km) and major district roads (9,000km) — in the state. (See chart)

But now, the ambitious policy is held up for want of a minister’s signature. After the NDA alliance in the state split on June 16 and chief minister Nitish Kumar sacked all BJP ministers, there is no one to sign the policy document. Nand Kishore Yadav — who is now the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly — was road construction minister in the NDA government that came to an end last Sunday.

“The policy would have been implemented this month itself. But it has got delayed because of the political turmoil in the state,” said a senior officer of the department on Thursday.

He added: “Even the rules have been framed. Only the signature of the minister concerned is required. But the last time any file was cleared in our department was on May 15, when Yadav signed a few files. Since then, everything is on hold.”

While sacking the BJP ministers in his cabinet, Nitish had accused them of not attending office and cited it as one of the reasons. The department was set to float its first tender this month.

The officer said: “Once the policy document is signed by the minister, it would be ready for the notification. The process of issuing tenders would begin.”

Asked when he expected the document to be signed, the officer said: “How can I comment on the expansion of the cabinet? It is up to the chief minister.” He added that department officials were eagerly waiting for the appointment of a minister. “It is a very ambitious policy. We are hopeful that the name of a minister would be announced in a day or two.”

While the employees wait for a new boss, the former minister, Yadav, expressed his concern about its implementation.

“It is a very important policy for the state. I took special initiative to frame it. If the government tries to tweak it wrongly, there would be a mass agitation,” he said.

He further said: “I hope the person taking charge of the department will clear the policy as soon as possible and not try to introduce unnecessary changes. I had chaired two meetings of engineers and contractors to explain how the policy would function. Let’s see how much interest the new minister takes in it.”