PM Modi Directs Immediate Overhaul of National Highway Construction and Maintenance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has mandated urgent reforms within the national highway sector, following concerns about substandard construction and systemic inefficiencies. During a high-level review meeting, Modi instructed the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to take swift action to rectify issues hampering highway construction and maintenance across India.
The meeting focused on several alarming issues plaguing the sector, including substandard construction quality, insufficient project reports, and contractors submitting underpriced bids to win contracts. These problems have led to the deterioration of newly constructed roads, frequent mishaps at under-construction tunnels and bridges, and roads developing ruts and potholes soon after inauguration. Notable stretches like the Sohna-Dausa section of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, the Amritsar-Jamnagar, and Eastern Peripheral Expressways have all faced significant quality concerns, inconveniencing thousands of commuters.
As a result, the NHAI has had to debar several contractors, with penalties such as banning seven contractors for periods ranging from one to 24 months and imposing fines totaling ₹23 crore over the past six to seven months. Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of adopting a more stringent approach to selecting contractors and consultants for highway projects. He called for a shift towards engaging quality-conscious builders who prioritize long-term durability over cost-cutting strategies. This, he noted, would help prevent the recurrence of roads deteriorating shortly after completion, which undermines public confidence and increases future maintenance costs.
In a bid to further streamline the construction process, PM Modi directed that the practice of dividing NH corridors into smaller packages just below ₹1,000 crore be halted. This practice was previously used to bypass the requirement for Cabinet approval. Instead, the government will now send complete corridor projects for Cabinet approval, ensuring more thorough oversight and accountability before work commences. This reform aims to improve the quality and accountability of large-scale highway projects. The meeting also addressed the growing issue of arbitration cases in the highway sector. Over the past two decades, approximately 750 arbitration cases have been filed, involving claims amounting to around ₹1 lakh crore, many of which remain unresolved. PM Modi directed the ministry to prepare a detailed report on these cases, outlining the parties involved, claims, and arbitrators, to better understand the scope of the issue and prevent future disputes.
PM Modi’s directives signal a firm commitment to overhauling India’s highway sector, with a focus on ensuring safer, durable, and high-quality roads. By addressing key issues such as contractor practices, project approvals, and arbitration cases, the government aims to establish a new benchmark for road infrastructure development in India. These reforms are expected to improve the overall quality of highways, reducing maintenance costs and enhancing road safety for all commuters. As these changes are implemented, India’s road transport sector is set to experience significant improvements, offering better roads and infrastructure that meet global standards. With these reforms, the government hopes to provide the nation with a robust and sustainable road network that will foster long-term economic growth and development.
