Lok Sabha Question No. 1762 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-01
Subject: Standards of Construction of NHAI
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Ms Iqra Choudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1762 ANSWERED ON 01 ST  AUGUST, 2024

## STANDARDS OF CONSTRUCTION OF NHAI

1762. MS IQRA CHOUDHARY:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  construction  standards  adopted  by  NHAI  for National  Highways  such  as  engineering  and  construction  material quality standards and subsequent maintenance;
- (b)  whether  the  quality  of  compaction,  material,  roughness  index etc. has been compromised in the construction of Eastern Peripheral Expressway and Ambala-Yamunanagar-Haridwar Highway  leading  inconvenience  to  the  commuters  and  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  conduct  the  quality assessment of the said roads and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a) The construction and maintenance of National Highways/Expressways  is  done  as  per  specifications  &  standards published  by  Ministry  of  Road  Transport  &  Highways  and  Indian Road Congress (IRC) from time to time. Relevant codes/specification  are  namely  Specifications  for  Road  &  Bridge

works-2013 (5 th  Revision), IRC:SP-112- Manual for Quality Control in Road & Bridge works, IRC:SP-73/84/87-Manual of Specifications and Standards  for  Two/Four/Six  laning  of  highways  and  IRC:SP-99-

Manual of Specifications and Standards for Expressways.

(b)  The  construction  of  Eastern  Peripheral  Expressway  has  been completed  as  per  standard/specification  of  IRC/MoRTH  without compromising  quality  of  construction  in  terms  of  compaction, material, roughness  index etc.  The  project  was  executed  on Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) mode and construction  was  completed  on  26.05.2018.  The  Defect  Liability Period of the project was up to 10.11.2022. As on date, the project has been awarded to TOT Concessionaire and is maintained as per the  conditions,  specifications  and  obligations  laid  down  in  the Concession  Agreement.  Moreover,  continuous  monitoring  of  the project is done by Independent Engineer engaged on the project.

The  Ambala-Yamunanagar  section  (Haryana)  was  constructed  on Engineering,  Procurement  &  Construction  (EPC)  mode.  The  Defect Liability Period of the project has also ended and project has been taken  over  by  NHAI.  Before  taking  over  the  project  at  the  end  of DLP, inspection was carried out by a team and team raised some observations and proposed rectifications of some defects. Compliance  of  the  observation  was  done  by  EPC  Contractor  and subsequently DLP, except in a stretch, was cleared and the project was  handed  over  to  NHAI.  Thereafter,  routine  maintenance  and incident  management of the project highway is being done by the O&M  agency.  In  stretch  from  Mullana  (Ambala)  to  Yamunanagr, rectification  of  some  defects  was  not  done  by  EPC  contractor  for which recovery of damages has been done from EPC contractor.

The Yamunanaar-Chutmalpur- Roorkee section was constructed on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) mode and this section is under Defect Liability  Period.  The  Concessionaire  is  maintaining  the  project stretch as per the standards mentioned in the Concession Agreement. Moreover, continuous monitoring of the project is being done by Independent Engineer engaged on the project.

The Roorkee-Haridwar Project was executed on Item Rate Mode. As on  date  the project is in Defect  Notification Period and  the rectification  of  the  identified  defects  has  been  undertaken  by  the Contractor.

(c)  No such proposal is under consideration. NHAI, however strictly follows  the  quality  of  works  following  the  desired  standards  and specifications. The Supervision Consultancy firms are appointed on each  project  for  day-to-day  monitoring  of  quality  of  work  during construction  and  maintenance.  NHAI  also  conducts  quality  audit/ inspection through independent team of experts during construction and before taking over the project.

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