NHAI Orders Quality Checks for 17 Highway Projects

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has started special quality inspections of 17 highway projects under construction across nine states. These projects were selected because their bid prices were more than 15% below the estimated project costs. The first round of inspections is expected to finish by the end of 2026. Also, a second review will take place six months later.

Why NHAI Selected These Projects

NHAI selected these projects based on three conditions. Each project must have a construction cost of more than Rs. 5 billion, a tender discount of over 15% and physical progress between 35% and 80%. The inspections aim to address concerns about contractors bidding too low to win projects. Such bids may affect construction quality and lead to delays in project completion.

17 Highway Projects Under Quality Check

The selected projects include the six-laning of the Tumkur-Nelamangala highway in Karnataka and the Durg-Raipur Bypass section in Chhattisgarh. The list also includes a six-lane, access-controlled greenfield highway between Yerragudipadu and Audireddipalle in Andhra Pradesh.

Other projects cover highway sections in Tamil Nadu and Punjab, the Mator-Barodameo six-lane highway, and the four-lane Inner Ring Road around Allahabad. These also include the Northern-East Side Gorakhpur Bypass and the Moradabad-Thakurdwara-Kashipur section of NH-734. 

Government Engineers to Conduct Inspections

Teams led by 39 serving and retired engineers from government organisations will carry out the inspections. Engineers from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Defence and state public works departments will take part in the exercise.

What Will Be Checked During Inspections

The teams will check whether construction work follows approved drawings, technical specifications, contract terms and project-specific quality plans. They will also examine construction materials, workmanship, building methods and records of sample collection and testing.

If any work fails to meet the required standards, contractors will need to take corrective action under the terms of their contracts.

NHAI to Follow Highway Quality Standards

National highway projects must follow the standards set by the Indian Roads Congress (IRC), including its specifications and codes. The agencies responsible for construction usually appoint authority engineers or independent engineers to supervise work at the site.

NHAI also brings in third-party quality auditors when additional checks are needed, especially after cases of damage to highway infrastructure.