Lok Sabha Question No. 3391 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-20
Subject: Shegaon-Pandharpur Road Project
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Bajrang Manohar Sonwane

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the Shegaon-Pandharpur road project (passing through Majalgaon, Dharur, Kaij, Kallamb, Yermala, Kuslamb) and the Ahemadpur-Ambajogai-Kaij-Patoda road project undertaken by Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) are of substandard quality which is leading to hazardous driving conditions, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the steps taken to investigate the responsibility of the contractors and Supervising  Officers  considering  the  fact  that  hundred  of  accidents  and fatalities occur on these roads due to poor construction and maintenance;
- (c) whether the Government plans to give compensation to the families of commuters died in accidents due to substandard works, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government takes immediate action by fixing accountability  of  the  concerned  Officers,  terminating  the  contracts  and blacklisting/penalizing the agencies responsible for the poor quality of work, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  measures  that  are  being  taken  to  ensure  strict  monitoring, transparency  and  timely  completion  of  such  projects  with  high-quality standards to prevent further loss of lives?

## 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. 3391

ANSWERED ON 20 TH  MARCH, 2025

## SHEGAON-PANDHARPUR ROAD PROJECT

3391. SHRI BAJRANG MANOHAR SONWANE:

Will the MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

(a)     The construction of Shegaon-Pandharpur section of National Highway (NH)  -  548C  having  448  km  length  and  Ahemadpur-Ambajogai-Kaij-Patoda section of NH-548D having 168 km length has been implemented in phased manner as per Indian Roads Congress (IRC) guidelines and Standards and Specifications  for  Road  and  Bridge  works.  The  NH  stretches  have  been developed to two-lanes with paved shoulders carriageway except in forest stretches wherein the road is overlaid with bituminous  layers without any widening of the existing carriageway. As on date, widening work could not be completed in 7 km length on NH-548C and 1 km length on NH-548D due to delays in land acquisition and other pre-construction activities. Maharashtra State  Road  Development  Corporation  (MSRDC)  has  been  directed  to  take action against agencies responsible for any sub standard work. (b)  to  (c) Accidents  have  been  reported  on  these  NH  stretches  for  the reasons  attributed  to  over-speeding,  rash  driving,  non-wearing  of  helmets, drinking  and  driving,  etc.  Government  vide  G.S.R.  163(E)  dated  the  25th February,  2022  has  notified  the  Compensation  to  Victims  of  Hit  and  Run Motor Accidents Scheme, 2022 to provide compensation in respect of the death  of,  or  grievous  hurt  to,  persons  resulting  from  hit  and  run  motor accidents. The scheme is being implemented with effect from 1st of April, 2022. As per the scheme, a fixed sum of Rs.2.00 lakh is to be provided in case of death, and a fixed sum of Rs. 50,000 is to be provided in case of grievous hurt. (d) to (e) In case of any defaults such as for substandard work or delays in project completion, action against Contractors/ Concessionaires is taken as  per  the  provisions  of  the  Contract/  Concession  agreement,  such  as termination of contract agreement, levying of penalties/ liquidated damages, debarment, blacklisting, declaring as non-performance etc.  Further, regular reviews and inspections are undertaken for monitoring and timely

completion of works.

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