Lok Sabha Question No. 3061 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-18
Subject: Irregularities in NHAI Project-Dhule-Pimpalgaon
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Dr. Bachhav Shobha Dinesh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3061 ANSWERED ON 18 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## IRREGULARITIES IN NHAI PROJECT-DHULE-PIMPALGAON

3061. DR. BACHHAV SHOBHA DINESH:

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

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  cognisance  of  multiple violations of the concession agreement by the concessionaire in the project: widening of existing 2-lane carriageway to 4/6-lane divided carriageway  configuration  for  Dhule-Pimpalgaon  (Km  265.00  -  Km 380.00) section of National Highway-3 (NH-3) in Maharashtra, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has taken cognisance that all Project Renewal  (PR)  cycles  were  conducted  more  than  18  months  later than  the  scheduled  timeline  and  that  the  fourth  PR  cycle  was cancelled at a loss to the exchequer, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has taken cognisance of negligence and  failure  to  enforce  the  concession  agreement  by  the  National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in the aforementioned project, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has instituted an enquiry to  review the issue and if so, the details thereof including findings and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e) whether the Government has received any representation from any Member of Parliament for the same; and
- (f) if so, the action taken by the Government thereon?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a) Four Laning of Dhule-Pimpalgaon section of NH-3 was completed in 2010 on Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Mode. Currently the project is in Operation & Maintenance (O&M) phase and the BOT concession  period is up to April 2026.  No violations of the Concession  Agreement  during  the  Construction  Phase  has  been observed.  However,  during  the  O&M  phase,  Concessionaire  had defaulted  in  Periodical  Renewal  (PR)  Overlays  and  various  O&M activities. (b) to (d) There has been delay in undertaking PR by Concessionaire due to its default/ force-majeure event. 1 st renewable cycle was delayed for reason attributable to the concessionaire.  2 nd   PR  cycle  was  delayed  due  to  pandemic  of COVID-19 and consequent delay in 3 rd  cycle of PR has occurred. An amount of Rs. 23.73 crore has been levied on the concessionaire so far. 3 rd  PR is under progress and  damages for delay in this cycle will be determined after completion of the same. As regard to 4 th  cycle of PR, amount for 4 th  cycle has been retained in Escrow account by NHAI. (e) & (f) Yes  Sir.  Representation  regarding  delay  in  undertaking periodical renewal, Tree Plantation, etc. of Dhule-Pimpalgaon section has been received from Hon'ble Member of Parliament (MP) of Dhule Lok Sabha Constituency. Hon'ble MP has been apprised of the current status of works & actions taken against the Concessionaire  for  the  above  defaults  vide  NHAI  letter  dated 27.03.2025 and 30.06.2025.

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