Archive · 30 Sep 2026
NHAI Orders Special Inspections of 17 Low-Bid Highway Projects
The National Highways Authority of India is checking 17 highway projects more carefully.
These projects had bids that were more than 15% below their estimated costs.
Each project costs more than ₹500 crore and is partly built.
Special teams will check whether the roads are being built according to approved plans and standards.
They will examine materials, construction methods, testing records and workmanship.
They will also review safety, traffic control and environmental protections where needed.
The first checks should finish by December 2026.
The projects will then be checked again six months later by a different team.
NHAI says the inspections can help find problems early and require corrective action.
NHAI is conducting additional quality inspections of 17 under-construction highway projects with bids more than 15% below estimates.
The projects cost over ₹500 crore and are between 35% and 80% complete.
The first inspection round is scheduled for completion by December 2026, followed by re-inspections six months later by different teams.
Teams will assess materials, workmanship, construction methods, testing records, safety, traffic management and environmental safeguards.
The inspections follow reports of potholes, cave-ins, erosion, flooding and traffic disruption on several highway and expressway stretches.
- Who
- The National Highways Authority of India, supported by specialised teams led by 39 experienced and retired government engineers.
- What
- NHAI is conducting additional quality inspections of 17 under-construction highway projects awarded with bids more than 15% below estimated costs.
- When
- The first inspection round is scheduled to finish by December 2026, with re-inspections six months afterward.
- Where
- The projects are located in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- To identify construction deficiencies early, support corrective action and check compliance with technical, contractual and safety standards.
- Projects inspected
- 17 under-construction highway projects
- Selection criteria
- Project cost above ₹500 crore, bid discount above 15% and physical progress between 35% and 80%
- First inspection deadline
- December 2026
- Follow-up inspection
- Six months later, by a different team of experts
- Inspection leadership
- 39 experienced and retired engineers from government organisations
- Inspection scope
- Materials, workmanship, construction methods, testing records, safety, traffic management and environmental safeguards
- Project types
- Greenfield and access-controlled corridors, bypasses, and four- and six-laning works
