CHANDIGARH, OCT 1: Special inspection panels will audit 17 major under-construction highway developments across multiple regions to ensure structural and material standards meet strict contractual guidelines. The targeted initiative focuses on high-value projects, including key corridors in Punjab and Haryana, where contracts were awarded at discounts exceeding 15 per cent of original cost estimates.
Selection parameters for the audit drive encompass projects valued above Rs 500 crore that have achieved between 35 and 80 per cent physical completion. The portfolio under review includes greenfield expressways, urban bypasses, and major lane-expansion projects across nine states. Independent expert teams, headed by experienced former government engineers from transport, defense, and public works sectors, will conduct the field assessments through December 2026.
Inspection protocols mandate full verification of structural drawings, material testing logs, construction methodologies, and site safety protocols. Follow-up reviews will occur six months after initial visits to confirm that any identified shortcomings have been fully rectified by project contractors.
NHAI officials affirmed that these data-driven reviews complement standard monitoring mechanisms to promote systemic improvements across the highway sector. The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to ensure high-quality construction practices and operational safety across the national road network.
