NHAI to Conduct Special Quality Checks on 17 Highway Projects With Low Bids

The inspections are intended to strengthen quality oversight, verify compliance with technical requirements and ensure that any construction-related shortcomings are addressed at an early stage.

The first round of inspections is scheduled to be completed by December 2026. NHAI will conduct a second inspection of the selected projects six months later, with a different team of experts to provide an independent assessment of construction quality and adherence to prescribed standards.

The special inspections will be conducted in addition to NHAI's routine quality monitoring mechanisms. The move is aimed at identifying potential quality concerns early enough for corrective measures to be taken during construction.

The 17 projects were selected using three criteria: a construction cost exceeding Rs 500 crore, a tender discount of more than 15 per cent and physical progress between 35 per cent and 80 per cent. The criteria are intended to focus inspections on projects that are at a significant stage of construction while using an objective, data-based approach.

The selected projects include greenfield and access-controlled corridors, bypasses and four- and six-laning works spread across Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.

Specialised inspection teams will be led by 39 experienced and retired engineers from various government organisations, including the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Defence and state Public Works Departments. Technical specialists will also assist the teams.

During the inspections, officials will assess construction against approved drawings, technical specifications, contractual requirements and project-specific quality plans. The teams will examine construction materials, workmanship, construction methods and records related to sampling and testing.

Road safety arrangements, traffic management systems and environmental safeguards will also be reviewed wherever applicable. Any work found to fall short of prescribed standards will be documented and followed up for corrective action under the relevant contractual provisions.

NHAI said the specialised inspections will also help identify recurring quality concerns, construction practices and areas where greater accountability may be required from contractors, consultants and other stakeholders involved in highway projects.