NHAI to conduct special quality checks on 17 highway projects with bids 15% below estimate

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is conducting special quality checks for 17 under-construction NH projects where the bid value was more than 15% lower than the estimated project cost.

The inspections are being conducted in addition to regular quality checks to detect any construction related issues at an early stage and take corrective action, the NHAI said in a statement on Wednesday.

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"The first round of inspections is scheduled to be completed by December 2026," the statement said. The second inspection of the selected projects will be carried out by another set of experts conducted by NHAI after six months to verify the construction of the projects and the quality of the work done.

The 17 projects were selected based on three criteria: a construction cost of more than Rs 500 crore, a tender discount of over 15%, and physical progress between 35% and 80%.

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These parameters are designed to target inspections towards projects in a crucial phase of construction process and to implement data-driven quality monitoring, NHAI said.

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

In addition, NHAI has developed a repository of experts to enhance its quality monitoring mechanism. Specialized teams headed by 39 seasoned and retired engineers from various government departments, such as the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, the Ministry of Railways, the Ministry of Defence and State Public Works Departments, will conduct the inspections, it said.

The teams will also be supported by technical experts during the inspections.

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

The inspections will additionally cover road safety arrangements, traffic management and environmental safeguards, where applicable.

NHAI said the exercise will help identify recurring quality issues and construction practices, while highlighting areas where greater accountability may be needed from contractors, consultants and other stakeholders involved in the projects.