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The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which is engaged in creating a world-class road network across the country, has taken a strict stance regarding construction quality. Taking seriously the complaints of premature cracks, subsidence and peeling of asphalt on newly constructed highways and expressways in many areas, on the instructions of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), an order has been issued for special quality audit of 17 important national highway projects. The action primarily focuses on projects where contractors had bid abnormally below the estimated cost in a bid to win the tender. NHAI believes that after taking contracts at extremely low prices, companies may compromise on construction materials and safety standards to save profits, which needs to be curbed in time.
Instead of arbitrarily selecting projects, NHAI has prepared a transparent and strict three-tier formula. Only those projects are shortlisted for scrutiny which meet all three of the following criteria:
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Project Cost: Total construction cost of highway project More than ₹500 crore There should be.
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Low Bidding: The financial bid given by the contractor is less than the estimated tender cost of NHAI. more than 15 percent less But it has been accepted.
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Construction progress: Actual physical progress of the project at present Between 35 percent and 80 percent has been completed, so that the correct condition of the sub-grade, base layer and structural concrete can be checked.
This audit is not limited to any one region but focuses on important infrastructure projects spread across 9 major states of the country. in these Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana And Gujarat Are included. The selected projects include greenfield expressways, access-controlled corridors, bypasses and four-lane and six-lane widening works. Construction quality is being closely monitored, especially on heavy industrial and freight corridors in states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
To keep the investigation completely fair and transparent, NHAI has constituted a special expert pool of 39 experienced and retired senior engineers. The team includes technical experts from the Ministry of Road Transport, Indian Railways, Ministry of Defense (MES/BRO) and Public Works Department (PWD) of various states.
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Scope of Technical Investigation: This team will check the approved drawings, bituminous and concrete grades, compaction of soil fill, load-bearing capacity of pillars of bridges and flyovers and drainage system.
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Safety and Environmental Standards: Traffic diversion, road signage, crash barriers and environmental protection measures on the highway will also be reviewed.
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Timeline and Re-Audit: The first phase of investigation will be completed and report submitted by December 2026. Exactly six months later, a second independent team will visit the site to verify whether the deficiencies identified have been rectified.
NHAI has made it clear that if the quality of construction material is found to be substandard or violation of technical rules is found during the investigation, then very strict action will be taken against the contractors and consultancy firms:
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Bank Guarantee Forfeiture: Performance Bank Guarantee of the construction company Up to 50 percent stake immediately confiscated Can be done.
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2 year ban from tender: Construction companies and supervisory consultant firms found guilty will be barred from participating in upcoming tenders of the Road Transport Ministry and NHAI. Blacklist (De-bar) for 2 years Can be done.
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Contract Cancellation: If very serious negligence is found, the contract will be canceled and the work will be completed by some other agency and its cost will be recovered from the old agency.
In the field of road infrastructure, it has often been seen that construction companies float tenders at huge discounts to get the work, but later delay the project or use substandard materials. This special audit initiative of NHAI will determine the accountability of construction companies and consultants. This will not only stop the wastage of government money, but will also provide the country with safe, sustainable and international standards highways.