Road ministry defines catastrophic failures to help in assessment of concessionaire

The ministry of road transport and highways has defined catastrophic failures in national highways projects, which results in loss of lives and lasting damage to road or highway structure, after it recently came up with the rating criteria for concessionaires to assess their performance as well as modified the qualification criteria for EPC (engineering procurement and construction) projects.

As per the rating criteria, catastrophic failures impact contractor ratings with a 30 marks deduction, thus impacting future contracts to them.

According to the circular issued by the ministry, catastrophic failure, unless caused by Force Majeure, would include bridge, flyover, underpass collapses, and pavement failures affecting serviceability.


Even collapse inside tunnels or tunnel portals with human entrapment over 72 hours, collapse of launching girder, staging, tunnels, or tunnel portals during construction or operation and pavement failures requiring full-depth replacement within 5 years has been categorised as catastrophic failure, making the concessionaire liable for it.

Besides, it has specified thresholds for embankment or pavement failure during the defect liability period for considering it as catastrophic failure.

The ministry has directed implementation agencies to report such failures within one month, failing which may lead to disciplinary action from the government.

The above incidents would attract notification as ‘Catastrophic Events’ unless such incidents are on account of ‘Force Majeure Event’, the ministry said.

“All implementing agencies are requested to submit a report on such catastrophic failures for further necessary action in the matter within one month of its occurrence,” it added.