NHAI Slaps Contractors With Fines Of Rs 50 Lakh For Expressway Defects

It has been a common practice to blame the government for the deteriorating state of roads and highways in our country. The government recently cracked down on engineers after potholes appeared on the two biggest expressway projects of the country. Three senior engineers lost their jobs, notices were issued to many people and a fine of Rs 50 lakh was imposed on the contractor. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) recently took strict action against the contractor and officials responsible for neglecting potholes on the Delhi-Vadodara Expressway and the Amritsar-Jamnagar Economic Corridor. After receiving complaints on social media, where concerned users posted photos of the potholes and tagged NHAI, the issue was taken seriously due to the potential danger posed to high-speed vehicles.

The presence of potholes on these major expressways was a significant safety hazard, as they could cause accidents for fast-moving cars. Initially, NHAI directed the contractor and officials involved to address and repair the problem promptly. When there was undue delay and procrastination in resolving the issue, the authority responded by holding those responsible accountable and taking strict action to ensure the problem was fixed swiftly.

Due to the dangerous potholes on the Delhi-Vadodara Expressway, which posed a significant risk of a major accident, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) took decisive action. Despite being informed of the problem, the contractor and officials delayed the necessary road repairs, prompting NHAI to intervene. As a result, a fine of Rs 50 lakh was imposed on the contractor for negligence.

In addition, NHAI dismissed both the team leader and the resident engineer for failing to address the issue promptly. A show-cause notice was also issued to the project director. Following these actions, the potholes were temporarily repaired, with plans for a full repair after the rainy season ends to ensure a safer expressway.

To fully investigate the issue and prevent future occurrences, NHAI has formed an investigation team led by Professor KS Reddy from IIT Kharagpur. This team will thoroughly examine the expressway’s problems and work towards a permanent solution. Samples from the expressway are being tested by the Shriram Institute in Delhi to assess the quality of the construction. Professor GV Rao from IIT Gandhinagar is also part of the investigation team.