Lok Sabha Question No. 2240 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-12
Subject: Damage to Roads, Bridges and Expressways due to Rainfall
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Smt. Delkar Kalaben Mohanbhai, Dr. Shivaji Bandappa Kalge, Shri Bhumare Sandipanrao Asaram, Shri Nilesh Dnyandev Lanke

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2240

## ANSWERED ON 12 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## DAMAGE TO ROADS, BRIDGES AND EXPRESSWAYS DUE TO RAINFALL

†2240.   SHRI BHUMARE SANDIPANRAO ASARAM:

SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE: DR. SHIVAJI BANDAPPA KALGE:

SMT. DELKAR KALABEN MOHANBHAI:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

## be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  maintains  any  data  of  the  recent incidents  of  damage  caused  to  newly  constructed  roads,  bridges and expressways due to rainfall in various parts of the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  the  number  of  such  failures  in  infrastructure  constructions reported  in  the  country,  particularly  in  Maharashtra,  UT  of  Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu and other States/UTs during the current financial year 2025-26, project and State/UT-wise along with the reasons identified for these failures;
- (c)  whether  any  action  including  blacklisting  or  imposition  of penalties has been taken against the contractors or agencies found responsible for the said failures and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  better construction  quality,  drainage  design  and  climate  resilience  in future  highway  projects  in  the  country  particularly  in  the  UT  of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a)  to  (c)      The  Government  in  Ministry  of  Road  Transport  and Highways  (MoRTH)  is  primarily  responsible  for  development  and maintenance of National Highways (NHs).

Major damages in newly constructed NHs / National Expressways, including structures (like bridges etc.) thereon, due to rainfall,  have  been  reported  for  51  projects  /  stretches  during  the current  Financial  Year  (FY)  2025-26,  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), including  for the  UT  of  Dadra  and  Nagar  Haveli  and  Daman and Diu, 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  / the Contract/  Concession  Agreement  or  within  a  reasonable  period  as remedial actions as stipulated in technical schedules of decided by the executing agency / AE / IE.

The Government in Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has initiated monitoring of the quality including defect rectification in  NHs  projects  through  mobile  based  application.  This  facilitates efficient highway project management by the internal stakeholders (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 additional initiatives for  improvement  of  quality  control  systems  in  implementation  of

NHs works, some of which are as stated below: -

- i. 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, thereby enabling quality assessment  of  NHs  at  regular  intervals  for  (a)  ensuring  the maintenance during Concession period / DLP and (b) prioritizing  maintenance  requirements  to  maintain  NHs  in traffic worthy condition. NSV  system  for road condition assessment  has  further  been  revamped  using  analytics  for enforcement  of  contractual  provisions  during  Operation  and Maintenance (O&M);
- ii. 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;
- iii. 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  diagnostic  assessments  of  overall  health  and  quality  of works from time to time during project implementation phases. Decision has been taken to diversify this initiative in some more States;
- iv. Deployment  of  Third  Party  Quality  Auditors  for  independent quality audits of NH works on a case-to-case basis;
- v. Adoption of Automated & Intelligent / Machine-aided Construction (AI-MC) in NH projects.

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.

## ANNEXURE

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2240 ANSWERED ON 12.02.2026 ASKED BY SHRI BHUMARE SANDIPANRAO ASARAM, SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE, DR. SHIVAJI BANDAPPA KALGE AND SMT. DELKAR KALABEN MOHANBHAI REGARDING DAMAGE TO ROADS, BRIDGES AND EXPRESSWAYS DUE TO RAINFALL

State  /  UT  -  wise  details  of  major  deficiencies  /  damages  reported  in  newly  constructed  NHs  /  National Expressways, including structures (like bridges etc.) thereon, due to rainfall, during the current FY 2025-26 along with action taken: -

| State            |   S. No. | Project / Stretch Name                             | Details of Major damages / defects                                                                                       | Action Taken                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|------------------|----------|----------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Gujarat          |        1 | Sanchore-Santalpur Package-4 (NH-754A)             | Ruts, cracks and surface deformation / Distress was observed after rains in June 2025; severe rutting at some locations. | Show Cause Notice issued to Contractor. Based on Expert team report, Contractor directed for rectification of damaged location. Rectification work under progress.                                                |
| Himachal Pradesh |        2 | Kiratpur-Manali section (NH Nos. 205, 154, 03)     | 15.165 km damaged                                                                                                        | Kullu Manali connected by temporary restoration; traffic plying in 2 lane; Manali Bypass connectivity restored. Bids for permanent restoration of 9 Nos. locations received and for other locations bids invited. |
| Himachal Pradesh |        3 | Parwano-Solan-Shimla section (NH-5)                | 0.68 km damaged                                                                                                          | Landslide removed from all locations and traffic is through.                                                                                                                                                      |
| Himachal Pradesh |        4 | Shimla- Mataur section (NH Nos. 205, 103, 03, 503) | 2.595 km damaged                                                                                                         | Temporary restoration completed. Permanent restoration completed except at 2 locations.                                                                                                                           |
| Himachal Pradesh |        5 | Pathankot-Mandi section (NH-154)                   | 2.165 km damaged                                                                                                         | Temporary restoration works completed. Permanent restoration works taken up.                                                                                                                                      |
| Himachal Pradesh |        6 | Banikhet - Chamba - Bharmour (NH-154A)             | 13.5 km damaged                                                                                                          | Traffic through. Permanent restoration works taken up.                                                                                                                                                            |
| Himachal Pradesh |        7 | Sainj - Luhri - Aut (NH-305)                       | 21.38 km damaged                                                                                                         | Traffic through. Permanent restoration works taken up.                                                                                                                                                            |
| Himachal Pradesh |        8 | Theog - Hatkoti (NH-705)                           | 9.35 km damaged                                                                                                          | Traffic through.                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| Himachal Pradesh |        9 | Shimla - Rampur -Wangtoo-Kaurik (NH-5)             | 38.75 km damaged                                                                                                         | Traffic through. Permanent restoration works taken up.                                                                                                                                                            |
| Himachal Pradesh |       10 | Snail - Hatkoti (NH-707)                           | 3.16 km damaged                                                                                                          | Traffic through. Permanent restoration works taken up.                                                                                                                                                            |
| Himachal Pradesh |       11 | Mcleodganj - Dharamshala (NH-503)                  | 1.56 km damaged                                                                                                          | Traffic through. Permanent restoration works taken up.                                                                                                                                                            |

| State         |   S. No. | Project / Stretch Name                       | Details of Major damages / defects                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | Action Taken                                                                                               |
|---------------|----------|----------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Jammu Kashmir |       12 | Bankhandi - Bhota (NH-503A)                  | 0.23 km damaged                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | Traffic through. Permanent restoration works taken up.                                                     |
| Jammu Kashmir |       13 | Hamirpur-Karnohal-Kalwahn-Mandi (NH-3)       | 11.08 km damaged                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                | Traffic through. Permanent restoration works taken up.                                                     |
| Jammu Kashmir |       14 | Domail-Katra-Reasi-Bhamla road (NH-144)      | Land slides, settlement & sinking of roads, culverts damage, damage to protection walls                                                                                                                                                                                         | Temporary restoration works completed; Traffic movement restored.                                          |
| Jammu Kashmir |       15 | Akhnoor-Poonch road (NH-144A)                | Sinking of road, damage to protection walls, culverts and lined drains                                                                                                                                                                                                          | Temporary restoration works completed; Traffic movement restored.                                          |
| Jammu Kashmir |       16 | Chenani- Sudhmahadev road (NH-244)           | 100m road washed away, affecting 220 m diversion road constructed by cutting hill side. Breast wall, drains, retaining walls damaged in 2.066 km.                                                                                                                               | Temporary restoration works completed; Traffic movement restored. Permanent restoration works in progress. |
| Jammu Kashmir |       17 | Batote to Thathri section (NH-244)           | Due to extensive landslide, Retaining Wall & Carriage way damaged.                                                                                                                                                                                                              | Temporary restoration works completed; Traffic movement restored. Permanent restoration works in progress. |
| Jammu Kashmir |       18 | Thathri-Drabshalla- Chatroo section (NH-244) | Due to extensive landslide, Retaining Wall & Carriage way, box culvert damaged.                                                                                                                                                                                                 | Temporary restoration works completed; Traffic movement restored. Permanent restoration works in progress. |
| Jammu Kashmir |       19 | Chatroo-Sinthantop- Vailoo section (NH-244)  | Due to extensive landslide, Protection work / Road surface damaged.                                                                                                                                                                                                             | Permanent restoration works completed.                                                                     |
| Jammu Kashmir |       20 | Goha-Khellani road (NH-244)                  | Due to extensive landslide, Retaining Wall & Carriage way damaged.                                                                                                                                                                                                              | Temporary restoration works completed; Traffic movement restored. Permanent restoration works in progress. |
| Jammu Kashmir |       21 | Pathankot - Jammu section (NH-44)            | (i) Damage to three spans of the RHS 2 lane Devak bridge due to settlement of two piers. (ii) Damage to abutment and RHS span bridge on Ravi river (iii) Damage to three spans of LHS 2 lane bridge at Khaderu. (iv) Scouring and Damage to apron/ floor protection of bridges. | Temporary restoration works completed; Permanent restoration works in progress.                            |
| Jammu Kashmir |       22 | Jammu - Udhampur section (NH-44)             | Massive land slides at Batra Hospital, Sidhra, Nagrota, Bann, Jhajjar Kotli and Sangoor.                                                                                                                                                                                        | Temporary restoration works completed; Permanent restoration works in progress.                            |
| Jammu Kashmir |       23 | Udhampur - Chenani section (NH-44)           | Abutment and bridge span damaged at Tharad. RCC Retaining wall and road carriageway fully damaged at Balia Nala.                                                                                                                                                                | Temporary restoration works completed; Permanent restoration works in progress.                            |
| Jammu Kashmir |       24 | Nasri- Ramban section (NH-44)                | Approach of tunnel is damaged and chocked with muck.                                                                                                                                                                                                                            | Temporary restoration works completed; Permanent restoration works in progress.                            |
| Jammu Kashmir |       25 | Ramban- Banihal section (NH-44)              | The valley side retaining wall has been damaged.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                | Permanent restoration works completed.                                                                     |

| State          |   S. No. | Project / Stretch Name                                                                                                                                                        | Details of Major damages / defects                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | Action Taken                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|----------------|----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Kerala         |       26 | Neeleshwaram-Thaliparambha Section of NH-66                                                                                                                                   | 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         |       27 | 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) | RE wall collapsed                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            | Debarment of Contractor and Independent Engineer firm from participating in ongoing/future bidding for 01 month period or completion of investigation by the expert Committee whichever is later. |
| Madhya Pradesh |       28 | Balaghat-Gondia section of NH 543                                                                                                                                             | During construction period, due to ingress of water on account of unprecedented rainfall, the shoulder and high embankment failed leading to visible defects in pavement layers.                                                                                                             | Show Cause notice issued to Contractor; also, Quality Audit of the section caried out through independent Auditor.                                                                                |
| Madhya Pradesh |       29 | Jhansi-Khajuraho (Pkg-1) section of NH-39                                                                                                                                     | During heavy rains, ingress of water resulted in failure/collapse of RE wall at Chainage 61+100 (LHS) of the ROB.                                                                                                                                                                            | Show Cause notice issued to Concessionaire.                                                                                                                                                       |
| Madhya Pradesh |       30 | Tejajinagar - Balwara Section of NH-347BG                                                                                                                                     | During construction stage, sudden collapse of earth mass at crown of under construction tunnel portal at Km. 32+630 led to casualty of 02 workers; the preliminary study/examination has indicated that design failures/incomplete works followed with heavy rains have resulted in failure. | Show Cause notice issued to Concessionaire.                                                                                                                                                       |
| Madhya Pradesh |       31 | Gwalior Shivpuri Section of NH-3                                                                                                                                              | RE wall buldging led to collapse of 02-03 panel of A-1 (LHS) of RE wall approaches of ROB at Km 109+900                                                                                                                                                                                      | Risk and Cost Notice issued to Contractor. Rectification works under progress.                                                                                                                    |
| Madhya Pradesh |       32 | Udgir -Ravi-Degloor section of NH-63                                                                                                                                          | Approaches to certain minor bridges washed out; Bridge return wall and wearing surface damaged.                                                                                                                                                                                              | Temporary restoration work completed. Traffic is through.                                                                                                                                         |
| Maharashtra    |       33 | Osmannagar to Kundral (NH-161A)                                                                                                                                               | Left & Right side road earthwork & subgrade side Shoulder swept away due to flood. Existing Cross Drainage Work and road length heavily damaged due to overtopping due to heavy flood.                                                                                                       | Temporary restoration work completed. Traffic is through.                                                                                                                                         |
| Madhya Pradesh |       34 | Ghat portion on Fulsawangi to Mahur section on NH 752I                                                                                                                        | Landslide in ghat portion. Severe erosion noticed to the road carriageway. Damage to the existing HPC.                                                                                                                                                                                       | Temporary restoration work completed.                                                                                                                                                             |
| Madhya Pradesh |       35 | Tiruka bridge on NH-50                                                                                                                                                        | Existing Minor Bridge overtopped due to heavy flood. Minor bridge towards Udgir side Approach Road earthwork & subgrade, side Shoulder swept away                                                                                                                                            | Existing realignment section. Necessary repair work done.                                                                                                                                         |

| State       |   S. No. | Project / Stretch Name                                                                                                                                                                                        | Details of Major damages / defects                                                                                                                                                                                                       | Action Taken                                                                                                                                          |
|-------------|----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|             |       36 | Rehabilitation and Upgradation of NH-61 from end of Ahmendnagar Bypass to Kharawandi Kasar (Section of Km 232+000 to 284+000)                                                                                 | due to flood. Minor Bridge Railing & bridge wearing Course swept away due to flood. Landslide in Karanji ghat section; complete damage to approach road embankments at various bridges and culverts, severe damage to side shoulders and | Temporary restoration work completed. Traffic is through.                                                                                             |
|             |       37 | Km 137.000 to 147.000, 150.000 to 152.800, 156.000 to 160.000 & 211.600 to 217.700 of NH- 160A                                                                                                                | development of numerous potholes. Washed out BT stretch, water logging.                                                                                                                                                                  | Flood Damage Repair work approved.                                                                                                                    |
|             |       38 | Buldhana Khamgaon (NH-753E)                                                                                                                                                                                   | 1 Pier of Minor Bridge damaged on upstream side of river; also bulging of existing piers.                                                                                                                                                | Rectification work through maintenance contractor.                                                                                                    |
|             |       39 | Mahad to Raigad Fort Road of NH-166F                                                                                                                                                                          | Due to heavy rain, Land slide occurred & Potholes were observed.                                                                                                                                                                         | Flood Damage Repair work approved.                                                                                                                    |
| Nagaland    |       40 | Ch. 191.980 Km to 192.060 Km (Near Phesama Village) of NH-02 between Kohima and Mao                                                                                                                           | Subsidence zone triggered; sunk for about 22 m in a length of 110-150 m.                                                                                                                                                                 | Damaged road portion restored through maintenance contract.                                                                                           |
| Punjab      |       41 | Jalandhar - Pathankot/ J&K Border section of NH- 44                                                                                                                                                           | Major bridge over river Ravi damaged due to excessive discharge of flood water from Ranjit Sagar Dam and Madhopur barrage.                                                                                                               | Traffic through. Permanent restoration works taken up.                                                                                                |
| Rajasthan   |       42 | 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 | 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. |
|             |       43 | Limchigad Bridge (NH-34)                                                                                                                                                                                      | Bridge Collapse                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | 100 Ft Bailey Bridge launched.                                                                                                                        |
|             |       44 | Kalgadi Bridge, km 238, Ramnagar-Pauri Section of NH-309                                                                                                                                                      | Bridge Collapse                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | 45m Bailey Bridge Installed                                                                                                                           |
| Uttarakhand |       45 | Tamak bridge, Km 41.050 on Suraithota-Malari Road (NH-107B)                                                                                                                                                   | Bridge Collapse                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | Temporary diversion constructed.                                                                                                                      |
|             |       46 | Pangti Bailey Bridge at Km 52.75 on the Joshimath-Malari Road (NH-107B)                                                                                                                                       | Bridge Collapse                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | New bridge is already under construction                                                                                                              |

| State       |   S. No. | Project / Stretch Name                                                                                                                                                                                                        | Details of Major damages / defects                                                                              | Action Taken                                                                                                                                                        |
|-------------|----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|             |       47 | Rudraprayag - Gaurikund (NH-107)                                                                                                                                                                                              | Sinking of 500 m road at Km 1.5 and 500 m road at Km 35.99 due to heavy rainfall & river erosion on valley side | Temporary restoration completed. Landslide treatment work executed at Km 35.99. DPR under preparation for Landslide treatment work at Km 1.5.                       |
|             |       48 | Dharali (Km 19.00 to Km 19.400), Harshil (Km 23.4 to Km 24.00), Sonagad (Km 46.850), Balkandar (Km 46.200), Dabrani (Km 48.050), Limchigad (Km 53.5), Papadgad ( Km 67.00), Bhatwari (Km 69.100), Maneri (Km 87.00) of NH- 34 | Road sinking, wash out                                                                                          | Temporary restoration completed. Permanent restoration works under progress.                                                                                        |
|             |       49 | Jeevan Ashram (km 139) of Nh-707A                                                                                                                                                                                             | 150 mtr road washed out                                                                                         | Temporary restoration completed through construction of diversion road. DPR under preparation for Landslide treatment work.                                         |
|             |       50 | Berhampore - Farakka Section of NH-12                                                                                                                                                                                         | Potholes, cracking, rutting, edge breaking etc.                                                                 | Penalty of Rs. 14.693 Lakh imposed on Concessionaire for breach of maintenance obligation of Berhampore Bypass                                                      |
| West Bengal |       51 | Sevoke - Rangpo section of NH-10                                                                                                                                                                                              | Road sinking and landslide                                                                                      | After the occurrence of the landslide, Contractor was directed to immediately mobilize required machinery to the damaged site and carry out necessary repair works. |

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