Lok Sabha Question No. 1077 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Quality and Safety on National Highways
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Shafi Parambil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1077 ANSWERED ON 5 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## QUALITY AND SAFETY ON NATIONAL HIGHWAYS

1077.  SHRI SHAFI PARAMBIL:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  frequent  collapse  of  roads
- constructed under the National Highways Authority of India;
- (b) if so, the details of quality audits conducted during the last three years, year-wise;
- (c) whether the Government has ensured that highway construction adheres to high-quality standards; and
- (d) the measures taken to improve the quality of road construction?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b)    The details are annexed.
- (c) & (d)    The measures taken to improve the quality of National Highway road construction is detailed below:

All works are to be executed strictly in accordance with the codes and standards   prescribed  by  the  Indian  Road  Congress  (IRC),  and  guidelines issued  by  the  Government  in  Ministry  of  Road  Transport  &  Highways, ensuring uniformity, technical soundness, and durability of highway assets. To ensure quality at the project level, executing agencies engage project- specific consultants, namely Authority Engineer/Independent Engineer/ Supervision  Consultant  (AE/IE/SC),  who  carry  out  continuous  supervision and day-to-day monitoring of construction activities.

Further,  execution  of  works  is  governed  by  an  approved  Quality Assurance  Plan  (QAP)  for  each  project,  which  clearly  defines  testing requirements,  acceptance  criteria,  and  responsibilities.  Authority's  field officials are required to verify a prescribed percentage of quality tests.

In  addition,  independent  Quality  Inspections  are  also  conducted  on sample basis by senior and experienced technocrats, providing an objective assessment of workmanship, materials, and processes.

At the organizational level, provisions have been made for inspections at  various  stages   in  accordance  with  various  Policy  Circulars  dated 08.10.2020, dated 15.08.2021, and dated 02.03.2021. This multi-tier inspection  mechanism  ensures  early  detection  of  deficiencies  and  timely corrective actions.

To  further  streamline  execution  and  enhance  transparency,  digital systems have been introduced for recording Requests for Inspection (RFI), checks,  and  certifications  by  the  supervising  consultants.  Additionally, provisions for uploading source approval data for manufactured materials, by AE/IE/SC on the Data Lake portal enable centralized, real-time monitoring of material approvals and compliance.

ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  &  (b)  OF  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  1077  ANSWERED  ON  05 TH   FEBRUARY,  2026 ASKED BY SHRI SHAFI PARAMBIL REGARDING 'QUALITY AND SAFETY ON NATIONAL HIGHWAYS'. The details of damage (locations and causes of the collapses, including the design,  material,  and  construction  deficiencies  identified)  sustained  by

National Highways, in last 3 (Three) FYs:

| Name of the State   |   S. N o. | Name of the Project                        | NH No.    | Len gth ( in K m.)   | Proje ct C ost ( Cr.)   | Date of Completion of the project                         | Damages due to subst andard construction of bridges, roads, etc. (lo cations and causes of the collapses)                                                                                                                                                         | Year of Da mage   | Technical Audit/ Remedial measures/Repairs underta ken                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|---------------------|-----------|--------------------------------------------|-----------|----------------------|-------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Haryan a            |         1 | Flyover and underp ass at Hero Honda Chowk | NH- 48    | 1.4                  | 183                     |                                                           | In the elevated span of Hero Honda Chowk on NH 48, between P4-P5 piers and between G1- G2 Girder, at Chainage 36+350 some portion o f deck slab has fallen down with settlement of the bituminous surf ace (MCW-01) on RHS                                        | May, 2024         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| Gujarat             |         2 | Sanchore-Santalpur PKG-04                  | NH- 754 A | 31.0 73              | 558.8 8                 | Under const ruction likel y to be com pleted in Fe b-2026 | During the Constructio n of project highway, d efermaotion of major a nd minor severity wer e observed at different locations of the main carriageway in both di rection at Sanchor Sa ntalpur highway. Furth er, various Rutting and Potholes found on Hig hway. | 2025              | NHAI has constituted Expe rt Committees from HQ an d IIT to assess the issue; However, the findings/repo rts from the experts are su bmitted & reply is awaited from the Contractor. Mean while, the EPC Contractor, under the supervision of th e Authority Engineer, has u ndertaken rectification wo rks at its own level to mak e the road motorable. The project road will be fully re ctified shortly. The Contra ctor has also proposed to carry out micro surfacing works in the stretches. Up on receipt of the Expert Co mmittee reports suitable a ction will be taken accordi |

<!-- image -->

| Madhya Prades h   |   3 | Jhansi - Khajuraho Pkg-1                                                                                                                                                     | 39                                     | 76.3    | 1410                            | PCOD=28.01. 2022 CC = 16.10.2 023 g                                                                                                                               | RE Panal collapse due to heavy rain & floodin at ROB at Ch. 61+100 *LHS)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | 2025-26      | Nil being repair by Concessi onaire at their own cost.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|-------------------|-----|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|---------|---------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Karn ataka        |   4 | Four laning of Goa- Karnataka Border t o Kundapur section of NH-66 (formerly NH-17) from Km. 93.700 to Km. 283. 300 in the State of Karnataka on DBF OT basis under NH DP-IV | 187 .24                                | 1655    | ongoi ng                        | The landsli de incident occurred o n 16.07.202 4 at Km 147.900 near Shiroo r Village in Uttara Kan nada Distri ct, triggere d by an inte nse episod e of torrenti | 8                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             | 16.07.2 02 4 | The Concessionaire is impl ementing Gabion works as per advised by geotechnic al Experts at said location s to mitigate the incidents in future.                                                                                                                                                                               |
|                   |   5 | 2/4 laning of BRT Ti ger Reserve Bound ary to Bangalore Se ction of NH-948 (Ol d NH-209) (km 287. 52 - km 458.42) in K arnataka on HAM                                       | 170 .92 km (De sco pe l eng th 4.9 3 k | 1008    | Unde r Mai ntena nc e Contr act | Km 337+6 70 to Km 337+680 RE Block of ap proach of V UP in 10mt length colla psed.                                                                                | 0                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             | 45870        | This is HAM mode project hence Concessionaire is r esponsible for repair & the y started the repair works & is in progress as per the report submitted by IISC B angalore.                                                                                                                                                     |
| Odisha            |   6 | Chandikhole-Bhadr ak Section of NH-16                                                                                                                                        | 16                                     | 74.5 0. | 1522                            | 19.02.2023                                                                                                                                                        | Bridge at km. 79+614 ( Constructed by M/s Ga mmon India Ltd in 200 7). (1)The span A1-P1 had dislodged from the pie r P2 due to breaking o f the cantilever portio n of the pier cap and h ad fallen on the groun d. The D/s end of the s pan (girders) have pen etrated in the ground due to rotation of the | 2023-20 24   | All the bridges of the entire stretch has thoroughly exa mined through Mobile Bridg e Inspection Unit to ensure strength of the existing bri dges. Moreover, IE has dire cted to carrying out periodi cal inspection of the bridge s and its proper maintenan ce so that incident of bridg e failure can be avoided in future. |

|       |    |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |    |          |            | span in clockwise dire ction (2) Appearance of wid e cracks (up to 3-4mm ) in the pier cap on gri d 'P2'. This may resul t into the similar failur e of pier cap on grid ' P2' also in future. (3) Damages of deck s lab and girders of the dislodged span (4) Increased bar spac ing at some places as compared to the 'As B uilt Drawings'. (5) Increased (about 1 00mm)/reduced cover to reinforcing bars of t he pier cap at some pl aces. (6) Lack of bond betw een concrete and bars of the failed pier   |      |                                                                                                                                                               |
|-------|----|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----|----------|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Bihar |  7 | Operation & Mainte nance of Muzaffarp ur-Darbhanga-Purne a section of NH-57 ( Km. 0.00 to Km. 14 8.550 and Km. 159. 357 to Km. 287.860 ) (Total length 277. 053 Km.) and Toll R evenue collection a t Toll Plaza Km. 150 .390 (BOT Annuity s ection) of NH-57 on OMT basis in the St ate of Bihar (OMT P ackage No. 20): | 27 | 277. 053 | 20.09.2024 | Breach of Maintenanc e obligation                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | 2024 | A tender for strengthening and major Maintenance of NH-27( old NH-57) invited ri sk and cost of contractor i. e SMS AABS India pct.ltd) maintenance 253.48 cr |

<!-- image -->

|            |   8 | 4-laning of Thanjav ur - Trichy section f rom Km 80.00 to K m136.490         | 83        | 56.4 9   | 280      | PCC issued on 12.05.201 1 & 28.02.2015. (Concession Agreement T erminated o n 17.03.2023 )   | 1. The RE wall panel p ortion of the A1 (Than javur) side approach ( LHS side) have been d isconnected from the geogrid and fallen do wn on 20.06.2023. 2. No loss of life or inj uries                                                                                                                             | 2023    | 1. Based on the report sub mitted by the expert comm ittee, soil nailing method w as used to rectify the dam age. 2. The entire RE wall portio n was nailed with 650 nos nails of 9m average length with rectification of the da maged RE wall portion. 3. The financial estimate f or the repair works was Rs . 1.88 crore (excluding GST ). The work was carried ou t and completed by NHAI o n 16.09.2023.   |
|------------|-----|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------|----------|----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Tamil Nadu |   9 | 4-laning of Sethiyat hope - Cholpauram section from Km 65 .960 to Km 116.440 | 36 50.4 8 | 1461     |          | 31.10.2025                                                                                   | 1. The RE wall blocks portion of the A2 (Tha njavur) side approach (LHS side) have been disconnected from th e geo grid and fallen d own on 01.08.2025. 2. No loss of life or inj uries                                                                                                                             | 2025    | 1.Based on preliminary in spection, it is observed th at the failure is due to Cla yey backfill & water ingre ss & due to rupture of geo grid 2. The rectification work completed by the Conces sionaire on 31.10.2025 wi th their own cost.                                                                                                                                                                    |
|            |  10 |                                                                              |           |          |          |                                                                                              | Soil nailing collapse i ncident occurred at C h. 58+035 to Ch. 58+1 00 (RHS) on 16.06.202 5 with no casualties. The soil nailing work was executed by the concessionaire in yea r 2023 Cause-Shotcret e thickness inadequat e; nail spacing large; anchorage length insu fficient; drainage behi nd wall inadequate | 2025-26 | Under rectification at the ri sk & cost of the concessio naire                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|            |  11 | Ramanattukara-Val ancherry                                                   | 66        | 39.6 8   | 2329. 35 | PCC issued on18.07.202 5                                                                     | RE Wall Collapsed at 276+800 to 277+050(L HS) Cause- RE wall design inadequate for saturat ed soils; poor compac                                                                                                                                                                                                    | 2025-26 | Viaduct is being constructe d with contractor's own ex pense of Rs 80 Cr.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |

<!-- image -->

| Kerala   |    |                                                                          |       |         |          |            | dia.                                                                                                                                                                          |         |                                                           |
|----------|----|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|---------|----------|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|-----------------------------------------------------------|
|          | 12 | Elevated Corridor fr om Aroor to Thurav oor                              | 66    | 12.7 5  | 2382. 83 | 30.06.2026 | Toppling of two PSC g irders at span P-202-P -203 of Aroor - Thurav oor Elevated highway Span on 13.11.2025. ( Ch 373+810 to Ch 373 +845) (BHS) Cause- malfunctioning of jack | 2025-26 | under rectification at the ri sk & cost of the contractor |
|          | 13 | Thuravoor to Parav oor                                                   | 66    | 38.3 9  | 2638. 67 | 31.05.2026 | 4 Nos. of girder collap sed at Ch.410+230 (R HS) Cause- Delay in cross girder casting and lap se execution.                                                                   | 2024-25 | under rectification at the ri sk & cost of the contractor |
|          | 14 | NH connectivity to I CTT at Vallarpadam from Kalamassery t o Vallarpadam | 966 A | 17.1 21 | 571.2 6  | 30.04.2015 | Distress in pile founda tion was observed at Bridge No 07 & 08 - C h. 7+960 and Ch. 9+06 7 (BHS) Cause- Substandrad w ork execution & poor workmanship                        | 2024-25 | Rectified by third party                                  |
|          | 15 | Kodugallur to Edap ppally                                                | 66    | 26.0 3  | 3606. 2  | 31.05.2026 | Damages in the pile fo undation Ch- 398+400 and Ch. 398+989 (RHS ) Cause- Substandrad w ork execution & poor workmanship                                                      | 2024-25 | Rectified under the risk & c ost of the concessionaire    |
|          | 16 | Kollam Bypass to K adambattukonam                                        | 66    | 31.2 5  | 3023. 83 | 30.06.2026 | collapse of scoffoldin g of Minor Bridge (und er Construction)at Km .Ch. 497+370(RHS) on 28.11.2024 Cause- Staging issue & improper supervisio                                | 2024-25 | Rectified under the risk & c ost of the concessionaire    |

*****