Lok Sabha Question No. 3095 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-07
Subject: Damages to New Roads, Bridges and Expressways
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Adv. Adoor Prakash, Shri Benny Behanan, Shri K C Venugopal, Dr. Kirsan Namdeo

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of recent incidents of damage to newly constructed roads, bridges and expressways due to rains, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the number of such infrastructure failures reported during the last three years, project-wise and State-wise and the reasons identified for these failure;
- (c)  whether  any  action  has  been  taken  against  the  contractors  or agencies  responsible  including  blacklisting  or  penalties,  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (d)  the steps taken by the Government to ensure better construction quality,  drainage  design  and  climate  resilience  in  future  highway projects;
- (e)  whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  inquiry  into  the collapse  of  several  stretches  on  the  National  Highway-66  being constructed in Kerala, if so, the details thereof and the action taken against the defaulters; and
- (f)  the  details  of  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  avoid  such issues in construction of National Highways?

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3095

## ANSWERED ON 07 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## DAMAGES TO NEW ROADS, BRIDGES AND EXPRESSWAYS

3095.   SHRI K C VENUGOPAL:

SHRI BENNY BEHANAN:

ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:

DR. KIRSAN NAMDEO:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)  to  (c)      The  detailed  design,  development  and  maintenance  of National  Highways  (NHs)  /  National  Expressways  projects,  including structures  (like  bridges  etc.)  thereon,  and  rectification  of  defects during Defect Liability Period (DLP) / Concession Period after completion of the work implemented on either Engineering, Procurement,  and  Construction  (EPC)  mode  or  on  Build,  Operate  & Transfer  (BOT)  mode  or  on  Hybrid  Annuity  mode  (HAM),  as  per provisions of relevant Standard Contract/ Concession Agreement, are the responsibility of the concerned Contractor / Concessionaire.

Major deficiencies / damages in newly constructed NHs / National Expressways, including structures (like  bridges  etc.) thereon,  due to rains,  have  been  reported  for  22  projects  /  stretches  during  the  last three years and current year, State / Union Territory (UT) - wise details of which along with action taken are at Annexure.

- (d) All efforts are made to ensure that the National Highways (NHs) are  constructed  as  per  stipulated  quality  standards  specified  in  the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) specifications and codes. To ensure that highway construction adheres to stipulated quality standards, Consultants [Authority's Engineer (AE) / Independent Engineer (IE)] are appointed by the executing agencies for day-to-day supervision of works at site. Officials of executing agencies undertake inspections from time to time and ensure adherence of conformity of quality of the work done by the Concessionaire / Contractor with stipulated requirements.

Deficiencies  observed,  if  any,  are  brought  to  the  notice  of  the Concessionaires/  Contractors  for taking up  necessary  corrective/ remedial actions as stipulated  in technical schedules of the Contract/ Concession  Agreement  or  within  a  reasonable  period  as  decided  by the executing agency / AE/ IE.

The Government has established system of receiving complaints through Public Grievance Portal, mobile based Rajmarg Yatra app for citizen feedback regarding issues / grievances related to NHs including  the  quality  issues.  Further,  for  complaints  received  from various  Social  Media  Platforms  including  complaints  received  from other  sources  about  various  issues  concerning  National  Highways including issues related to quality of construction, the Government has set up an internal mechanism to takes cognizance of these complaints through web  portal towards ensuring that necessary corrective actions are taken up by the Officials / Concessionaires / Contractors for the NHs projects.

The  Government  in  Ministry  of  Road  Transport  and  Highways (MoRTH)  has  initiated  monitoring  of  the  quality  including  defect rectification in NHs projects through mobile based application named as NHAI One / Tatpar.  This app is used by Field officers / Engineers / Contractors  /  Concessionaires  directly  from  onsite,  through  digital reporting of daily and monthly defects, submission of geo-tagged and time-stamped  photos  for  inspections  and  digital  uploading  of  test results.

The Government has taken the following initiatives for improvement  of  quality  control  systems  in  implementation  of  NHs works, some of which are as stated below: -

- i. Adoption of Automated & Intelligent / Machine-aided Construction (AI-MC) in NH projects;
2. Mandatory  assessments  of  road  conditions  through  Network Survey  Vehicle  (NSV)  before  start  of  work,  before  issue  of completion  certificate  and  thereafter  at  regular  intervals  of  six months after completion of the work; Further revamping of NSV system   for  road  condition  assessment  using  analytics  and enforcement  of  contractual  provisions  during  Operation  and
- ii. Maintenance (O&M) through dedicated central cell;
- iii. Analysis of High-Resolution Imagery collected from Drone Surveys in Drone Analytics Monitoring System (DAMS) integrated with  Artificial  Intelligence  /  Machine  Learning  algorithms  for periodic evaluation of progress and quality of ongoing NHs works from time to time;
- iv. Deployment  of  Mobile  Quality  Control  Vans  (MQCVs)  equipped with  Non-Destructive  Testing  Equipment  on  pilot  basis  in  four States, namely in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Odisha and Karnataka, for
6. diagnostic  assessments  of  overall  health  and  quality  of  works from time to time during project implementation phases;
- v. Deployment  of  Third  Party  Quality  Auditors  for  independent quality audits of NH works on a case-to-case basis.

Aspects of rainfall, high flood level, climate, type of terrain, soil category etc. are invariably taken into consideration during preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) for all NH development / upgradation  projects.  Accordingly,  construction  of  roadside  lined  / unlined drains, Cross Drainage structures viz., Culverts, Minor & Major bridges across natural streams / drainage etc., are carried out as per scope of contract for the project by the Contractor / Concessionaire as per standard specifications and Indian Roads Congress (IRC) codes.

- (e) and (f)  National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) constituted an Expert  Committee  on  24.05.2025  to  assess  potentially  vulnerable locations of Reinforced Soil (RS) Walls and Slope Protection Works in 17 under construction projects on NH-66 in the State of Kerala.

Committee visited the entire stretch of NH-66 in Kerala between 11.06.2025  to  14.07.2025  to  assess  the  adequacy  of  the  protection methodologies adopted / being adopted / proposed to be adopted for slopes / embankments and other vulnerable locations and to suggest necessary improvements. Committee held detailed deliberations regarding Slope Stability and RE Wall with field officers and respective Concessionaires  /  Contractors  /  IEs  /  Designers  in  July,  2025  and observed that the existing soil at sites exhibits low bearing capacity and suggested additional ground improvement techniques.

## ANNEXURE

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3095 ANSWERED  ON  07.08.2025  ASKED  BY  SHRI  K  C  VENUGOPAL,  SHRI  BENNY  BEHANAN,  ADV.  ADOOR PRAKASH AND DR. KIRSAN NAMDEO REGARDING DAMAGES TO NEW ROADS, BRIDGES AND EXPRESSWAYS

State  /  UT  -  wise  details  of  major  deficiencies  /  damages  reported  in  newly  constructed  NHs  /  National Expressways, including structures (like bridges etc.) thereon, due to rains, during the last three years and current year along with action taken: -

| State             |   S. No. | Project / Stretch Name                                                                                                                                | Incident Year   | Details of Major damages / defects                                                                                                                               | Action Taken                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|-------------------|----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Arunachal Pradesh |        1 | Yupia - Hoj - Potin section of NH-713A & NH- 13 at Km 31.000 (Hoj Market), Km 38.300 (Yabi Village), Km 39.000 (Waterfall), Km 39.700 2024            |                 | RE wall Collapsed                                                                                                                                                | Rectification of defective work initiated by the Contractor. Penalty of 5% of contract value imposed on Contractor.                                                                                                  |
| Andhra Pradesh    |        2 | Six-laning of Vijayawada bypass from Chinna Autupalli (Design Ch.0+000) to Gollapudi (Design Ch. 30+000) in Vijayawada - Gundugolanu Section of NH-16 | 2024            | Defects in the construction of RE wall.                                                                                                                          | Concessionaire commenced the rectification work based on recommendation /suggestion of RE wall Expert. Rs.10,99,235/- was recovered as damages from Concessionaire.                                                  |
| Himachal Pradesh  |        3 | Four Laning of Parwanoo- Solan Section NH-22 (New NH-05) from Km 67.000 to Km 106.139                                                                 | 2022            | Collapse of road stretch between km. 3.130 to 3.170 on the two-lane portion of the project highway (approach road to Tunnel) of Parwanoo-Solan section of NH 05. | Restoration work has been completed by EPC Contractor                                                                                                                                                                |
| Haryana           |        4 | Delhi-Vadodara Expressway (Pkg. 2 & 3)                                                                                                                | 2024            | Rutting                                                                                                                                                          | Authority has imposed damages amounting to Rs.91,56,292/- on the contractor for delayed maintenance. Rectification of rutting has been taken up by Contractor and majority of the rutted portion has been rectified. |
| Gujarat           |        5 | Sanchore-Santalpur Package-4                                                                                                                          | 2025            | Ruts, cracks and surface deformation / Distress was                                                                                                              | Penalty of ₹ 2.8 crore has been imposed on the Contractor along with a recommendation for debarment up to one year or until successful                                                                               |

| State     | S. No.   | Project / Stretch Name                                                                                                                                                        | Incident Year   | Details of Major damages / defects                                                                           | Action Taken                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|-----------|----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|           |          |                                                                                                                                                                               |                 | observed recently after rains in June 2025; severe rutting at some locations.                                | rectification, whichever is later.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|           | 6        | Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway (Pkg-I, II & III)                                                                                                                                  | 2024            | The stretch is not in a dilapidated condition. However, minor jerks/undulations were obsereved.              | Concessionaire has taken up rectification work. Rs. 16.42 Cr. withheld towards delay in jerk rectification in Pkg-I.                                                                                                                                                                  |
|           | 7        | Km 147.9000 of NH-66                                                                                                                                                          | 2024            | Landslide                                                                                                    | Preliminary slope stabilization work at Shirur started by the concessionaire.                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| Karnataka | 8        | NH-169 (Kethikallu hill near Vamanjoor (Omanjuru) town of Mangaluru Taluk in Dakshina Kannada district)                                                                       | 2024            | Landslide                                                                                                    | Slope benching and backfilling completed; drains constructed to divert water; safety measures like floodlights and signboards installed.                                                                                                                                              |
|           | 9        | Hassan Marnahally Section of NH-75                                                                                                                                            | 2024            | Landslide at Km 227.900                                                                                      | Work commenced for soil nailing, hydroseeding & construction of drains.                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|           | 10       | Chengala-Neeleshwaram Section of NH-66                                                                                                                                        | 2024            | Soil nailing collapsed incident occurred at Ch. 58+035 to Ch. 58+100 (RHS) on 16.06.2025 with no casualties. | NHAI has suspended the Concessionaire and its promoter from future bidding for 01-month period or till Concessionaire initiates rectification of slope protection works. Debarment also issued to Concessionaire. Senior Bridge Engineer of AE removed from site.                     |
|           | 11       | Neeleshwaram-Thaliparambha Section of NH-66                                                                                                                                   | 2025            | Unprotected soil slip in the cut section with debris deposition on carriageways.                             | Rectification work carried out and traffic restored with precautionary barricading in median portion.                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| Kerala    | 12       | Six laning from start of Valanchery bypass to Kappirikkad section of NH - 66 (old NH-17) from Design Ch. 298+500 (Ex. km 304.250) to Design Chainage 335+850 (Ex. km 349.260) | 2025            | RE wall collapsed                                                                                            | Debarment of Contractor and Independent Engineering firm from participating in ongoing/future bidding for 01 month period or completion of investigation by the expert Committee whichever is later.                                                                                  |
|           | 13       | Azhiyur-Vengalam section of NH-66                                                                                                                                             | 2024            | Soil nailing works collapsed from Km 191+820 to Km 192+100 (LHS), Km193+400 to Km 193+540.                   | Show cause notice issued to Concessionaire for debarment upto 1 year + penalty of Rs. 50 Lakh to Rs. 5 Cr. Concessionaire directed to carryout rectification/ remedial measures at their own cost. Show Cause Notice issued to IE for debarment upto 1 year & penalty of Rs. 20 Lakh. |
| Mizoram   | 14       | Strengthening between Km 119/000 to Km 147/00 (Length = 27.98 km) on NH-154 (new NH-6) including construction of Retaining walls at essential places in the state of Mizoram  | 2023            | Potholes and ditches identified.                                                                             | Contractor's performance security forfeited. Repair work taken up by State PWD.                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Nagaland  | 15       | Ch. 191.980 Km to 192.060 Km (Near Phesama                                                                                                                                    | 2025            | Subsidence zone triggered; sunk                                                                              | Restoration work taken up                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |

| State                       | S. No.   | Project / Stretch Name                                                                                                                                                                                        | Incident Year   | Details of Major damages / defects                                       | Action Taken                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|-----------------------------|----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|                             |          | Village) of NH-02 between Kohima and Mao                                                                                                                                                                      |                 | for about 22 m in a length of 110- 150 m.                                |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Rajasthan                   | 16       | Delhi Vadodara Expressway NE-4 (Pkg.4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9 & 16)                                                                                                                                                     | 2024            | Rutting, Raincuts, potholes, settlement, bulging of RE Wall              | Damages amounting to Rs. 1.06 Cr. imposed for delayed maintenance in Pkg-4 & Rs. 88.32 Lakh for Pkg-5. Also, IIT Kharagpur has been engaged for detailed study for permanent rectification of defects. Penalty imposed on each contractor (Pkg-6, 7, 8, 9) amounting to Rs. 50 Lakhs for non-rectification of defects in the stipulated time frame as per provision of contract agreement. ontractor has rectified damages in Pkg-16. |
|                             | 17       | Construction of 6-lane access-controlled Greenfield highway from km 28+70 to Km. 53+0 of Sangariya (near Chautala)-Rasisar (near Bikaner) section of NH-754K as a part of Amritsar-Jamnagar Economic Corridor | 2025            | Deficiencies in riding quality and settlement at some locations observed | (i) Damage of Rs. 50.00 Lakhs imposed upon the Contractor. (ii) Two key personnel of Authority Engineer team were terminated due to poor supervision.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| Tripura                     | 18       | Srirampur to Khowai from Km 75.700 to Km 101.300 (kailashahar Khowai Pkg-5)                                                                                                                                   | 2024            | Distress/settlement in various stretches                                 | Rectification taken up by Contractor.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| Uttar Pradesh & Uttarakhand | 19       | 4L of Nagina-Kashipur section of NH-74                                                                                                                                                                        | 2024            | PQC panel cracks, Potholes, Road signages, Rain Cuts etc.                | Recoveries initiated from the Contractor as per Schedule-M of EPC contract agreement.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| West Bengal                 | 20       | Four - Laning of Baharampore - Farakka Section of NH-34 from Km 191.700 to Km 292.294                                                                                                                         | 2024            | Potholes, Cracking, Rutting, Edge Breaking                               | Rs. 2.68 Lakhs penalty imposed on Concessionaire. .                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands   | 21       | Rehabilitation of Km 181.00 to Km 206.00 section in Andaman Trunk Road of NH-4 to Intermediate Lane with hard shoulder (Pkg-VII)                                                                              | 2024            | Distress, sinking of pavement at various locations                       | Rectification works completed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Delhi                       | 22       | Urban Extension Road-II (Pkg. 2)                                                                                                                                                                              | 2024            | Partial Collapse of RE Wall from Ch. 17+450 to Ch. 17+490                | Stringent warning issued to Contractor and AE. Contractor reconstructed the RE wall.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |

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