Lok Sabha Question No. 16 (STARRED), answered on 2023-02-02
Subject: Use of Substandard Construction Material
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Kaushalendra Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 16 ANSWERED ON 2 nd  FEBRUARY, 2023

## USE OF SUBSTANDARD CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL

†* 16.  SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

## be pleased to state:

- a) whether the Government has taken any legal action against the agencies  found  using  substandard    construction  material  in  the construction work of National Highways (NHs) in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- b) whether the Government has carried out any inspection/survey of the  quality  of  material  being  used  in  the  construction  work  of Bakhtiyarpur-Rajauli  NH-20  in  Nalanda  district  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- c) whether the Government proposes to order an inquiry against the concerned construction agency allegedly involved in such substandard construction work and if so, the details thereof; and
- d) whether protection of the trees for conservation of environment is being considered during the construction of the said Highway and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  to  (d)  OF  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 16 ANSWERED ON 02.02.2023 ASKED BY SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR REGARDING USE OF SUBSTANDARD

CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL (a)  All efforts are made to ensure that the National Highways (NHs) are constructed as per quality standards specified in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways / Indian Roads Congress (IRC) specifications and codes. Unless the roads are constructed as per the specifications, the contracts are not treated as complete. To ensure the construction quality, Consultants (Authority's Engineer/  Independent  Engineer) , Quality  Monitors  are  appointed  by  the  Ministry  and  its  executing agencies for day to day supervision of the works at site. Deficiencies, if any, observed during such examination / supervision are brought to the notice  of  the  Concessionaires  /  Contractors  for  taking  up  necessary corrective measures. (b) and (c) A team of Independent Engineer appointed by NHAI for the project  'Construction  of  Bakhtiyarpur -Rajauli  section  of  NH-20  under Nalanda district'  regularly  checks  and  tests  the  quality  of  materials used in construction of the project. Officials of NHAI also undertake inspections  on  interim  basis  and  ensure  adherence  of  conformity  of quality of materials used in construction as well as the work done by the Concessionaire with stipulated requirements. project includes adoption of eco-friendly methodologies as Ministry's specifications/ Indian  Roads  Congress  (IRC)

- (d) The alignment of the project has been finalised keeping into account minimal tree cutting along the stretch. The scope of work under the per codes  for conservation  of  the  environment,  undertaking  of  transplantation  of trees as per the recommendations of the Forest Department as well as planting of trees in road side area and medians of completed projects.

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