Lok Sabha Question No. 3074 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-07
Subject: Construction of NH-548C
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Bajrang Manohar Sonwane

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3074 ANSWERED ON 7 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## CONSTRUCTION OF NH-548C

†3074. Shri Bajrang Manohar Sonwane:

Will the MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) the time limit stipulated for the completion of construction of NH548C;
- (b) whether  construction  of  the  above  highway  including  the  stretch from Beed-Patna-Majalgaon 51-101 Km. was started in 2017 in Maharashtra and was targeted to be completed by 31st July, 2019 and if so, the reasons for the delay of six years in this regard;
- (c) the reasons for blocking the 600 metre road connecting the village on the above highway;
- (d) whether construction work between (i) Majalgaon to Kaij, (ii) Kaij and  Kushlamb  (160-220  Kms)  particularly  on  Yermala  and  Kushlamb section as well as on Manjari bridge and (iii) two bridges near Sadola in Beed district is still lying incomplete, if so, the reasons therefor;
- (e) the  amount  incurred  thereon  so  far  along  with  the  extra  funds needed for the said works;
- (f) whether the Government has conducted any inquiry in this regard and if so, the details thereof and the punitive actions taken against the concerned contractor and responsible officers in this connection along with the details thereof;
- (g) whether the said incomplete work led to increase in road accidents and if so, the compensation provided to the next of kin of the person who died in such accidents; and
- (h) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  completion  of  the said work as per declared quality standards and within stipulated time frame?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)     The total length of NH-548C in Maharashtra is 720 km. Out of this, construction works in 708 km length have been completed while works in 12 km length are under various stages of implementation and targeted for completion in Financial Year 2027-28 in a phased manner.
- (b)     The construction works for development of Beed-Patna-Majalgaon section of NH-548C between km 51+262 to km 101+740 on Engineering, Procurement  and  Construction  (EPC)  mode  of  implementation  was sanctioned  by  the  Government  on  25.01.2017.  The  appointed  date  for start of construction was  notified to the selected Contractor on 01.08.2017 with the scheduled completion date of 31.07.2019. The civil construction works on the above highway could not be completed within scheduled  time  due  to  disputes  on  existing  NH  Right  of  Way  (RoW), delays  in  acquisition  of  additional  land  and  other  pre-construction activities.
- (c)      The work on 600 metre road connecting the village on the above highway is  incomplete  on  account  of  existing  ROW  disputes  and  local protests.
- (d)  to  (f)      The  projects  for  development  of  Majalgaon  to  Kaij  section and  Kaij  to  Kuslamb  have  been  sanctioned  by  the  Government  at  an estimated total capital cost of Rs. 938.35 crore and so far, an expenditure  of  Rs.  690.00  crore  has  been  incurred.  The  balance  civil works in these NH sections are pending due to disputes on existing NH Right  of  Way  (RoW),  delays  in  acquisition  of  additional  land  and  other pre-construction activities. All the pending issues have been substantially resolved in close co-ordination with the State Government and  the  balance  works  are  under  implementation  with  target  for completion in December, 2025 in a phased manner. No extra funds are required for the completion of these balance works and these projects will be completed within the sanctioned total capital cost.

(g)      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 (h)     Various steps are taken by the Government to monitor and check the construction quality of work on NHs. All the NHs are constructed as per  quality  standards  specified  by  the  Government  and  Indian  Roads Congress (IRC). The sub-standard works found, if any, are got removed and  re-laid  as  per  specifications.  This  is  ensured  by  appointment  of consultants  as  Authority's  Engineer  /  Independent  Engineer  for  day-today  supervision  for  implementation  of  quality  assurance  /  control  as specified in contract / concession agreement. Furthermore,  the  progress  of  all  NH  projects  is  continuously monitored through advanced digital platforms such as Project Monitoring Information System (PMIS) and Data Lake, Bhoomi Rashi portal (for Land Acquisition). In addition, periodic reviews are held at various levels with all  stakeholders  including  officers  of  executing  agencies  to  resolve pending  contractual  issues  and  ensure  timely  implementation  of  the projects.

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