Lok Sabha Question No. 1780 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-11
Subject: Effects on Construction of NHs due to Lockdown
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Imtiaz Jaleel Syed, Asaduddin Owaisi

be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  construction  work  of  National  Highways  (NHs)  was affected during the lockdown in the country due to COVID-19 and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the length of construction and widening of NHs completed during the  period  from  March,  2020  to  January,  2021  vis-a-vis  the  same period in the previous year;
- (c)  whether  the  National  Highways  Authority  of  India  (NHAI)  has framed rules for imposing huge fine and ban on contractors to bid for  future  projects  as  a  penalty  for  causing  accidents  and  deaths due to structural collapse or defects in design;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  the  other  steps  taken  by  the  Government  for  road  safety  and quality construction of NHs?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1780 ANSWERED ON 11 TH  FEBRUARY, 2021

## EFFECTS ON CONSTRUCTION OF NHS DUE TO LOCKDOWN

1780. SHRI SYED IMTIAZ JALEEL: SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

- (a) The  progress  of  National  Highways  (NHs)  construction  was affected for first two quarters of the current financial year i.e. 2020-21 due to lockdown in the country imposed post outbreak  of  COVID-19.  However,  due  to  several  initiatives taken by the Government under Atmanirbhar Bharat to extend all possible help to Contractors, Concessionaires and Developers to ease out their cash flow, pace of construction of NHs geared up in remaining period of FY 2020-21.
- (b) The  length  of  National  Highways  constructed  till  January, 2021  is  9132  km  in  the  current  financial  year  2020-21  as compared to 7925 km during the same period in the previous financial year i.e. 2019-20.
- (c) &  (d)  NHAI  has  issued  a  policy  circular  on  08.01.2021  to decide  penal  action  on  the  Contractor  in  case  of  failure  of structures/highway  in  NHAI  projects.  Accordingly,  financial penalty  ranging  from  Rs.  30  lakh  to  Rs.  10  crore  on  the contracting  firm  and  debarment  up  to  3  years  for  the  key personnel  has  been  proposed  depending  on  the  severity  of failure/neglect.
- (e)  Road  Safety  Audits  are  being  carried  out  at  all  stages  of development  of  the highway  i.e. design / construction / operation stages to minimize accidents. Further, Ministry has taken  up  various  initiative  on  priority  such  as  installation  of crash  barriers,  rectification  of  black  spots  to  ensure  safe movement of road users. All National Highways are constructed  as  per  quality  standards  specified  in  Ministry  of Road  Transport  and  Highways/  Indian  Roads  Congress  (IRC) specifications. Quality Control and Quality Assurance is being exercised  through  Authority  Engineer  and  Quality  checks implemented  through  representatives  of  the  Authority  in  the field.

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