National highway authority checks 17 major road projects over low bids

The National Highways Authority of India has launched a special quality inspection of 17 under construction projects spread across nine states. Officials state that the first round of checks will finish by the end of the year, followed by a re-inspection after six months to verify work quality.

Project Criteria

These specific projects were chosen because their bid value was more than 15 percent lower than the estimated project cost. The selection follows three main rules: a construction cost of over Rs 500 crore, a tender discount of more than 15 percent, and physical progress ranging between 35 percent and 80 percent. Aggressive bidding often worries the highway sector because contractors quote very low prices to win projects, which frequently leads to delays and poor construction quality.

Inspection Teams

Specialised teams consisting of 39 experienced and retired engineers are conducting the checks. These engineers come from government bodies including the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the Ministry of Railways, the Ministry of Defence, and State Public Works Departments. The teams examine construction materials, workmanship, methods, and test records against approved drawings and contract conditions to enforce corrective action where needed.

Context

Highway development in India relies on strict technical codes set by the Indian Roads Congress alongside daily supervision by independent consultants. Independent third-party auditors are also brought in when road damage occurs despite these standard checks, aiming to maintain structural safety across major transport routes.