MoRTH Cracks Down On Negligent Highway Maintenance With Stricter Audits And Quality Control Measures To Ensure Smoother, Safer Roads

In a bid to enhance the quality and longevity of the country’s highways, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed stricter quality control measures to ensure both construction and maintenance adhere to high standards, reported Mint.

As part of this initiative, periodic audits will be conducted, particularly six months before the end of the Defect Liability Period (DLP), to identify any shortcomings and ensure contractors rectify them before their obligations expire.

A senior MoRTH official, while speaking to Mint, highlighted that maintenance is often neglected by contractors despite contractual obligations.

According to him it is generally not considered a high priority, and adequate attention is not given to this aspect of highway construction, even when such provisions are included in the contract.

The DLP is the timeframe within which the construction company remains accountable for any defects or maintenance issues in the highway infrastructure.

To strengthen oversight, a recent MoRTH directive now mandates that government agencies inspect and assess highway conditions six months before a project’s DLP expires.

Only after all necessary repairs are completed will concessionaires receive their final dues and a taking-over certificate.

Currently, out of the 146,195 km long National Highway (NH) network, approximately 1 per cent of the total length suffers damage annually. Maintaining highways remains a continuous effort, with MoRTH and its executing agencies regularly evaluating road conditions.

In the 2023-24 fiscal year, the ministry allocated nearly Rs 6,500 crore for highway repairs and maintenance, with a similar expenditure expected for the current fiscal year.

However, construction firms engaged in highway development argue that the process should be more transparent.

"The government should come out with transparent and standard systems for maintenance of highways so that it is easier for contractors to fulfil their commitments," said an official from a major highway construction company.

Highway maintenance in India is undertaken through various contractual models, including Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC), Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), Toll Operate and Transfer (TOT), and Performance-Based Maintenance Contracts (PBMC).

Under EPC, contractors are responsible for maintenance during construction and the DLP, while in DBFOT and HAM models, concessionaires maintain roads until the end of their concession period.

National Highway stretches not covered under these frameworks are maintained under PBMC and Short-Term Maintenance Contracts (STMC).

To ensure highway infrastructure remains in optimal condition, MoRTH has mandated periodic inspections using both visual and equipment-based assessments.

Key bridges and structures undergo real-time monitoring, while the Indian Bridge Management System (IBMS) has been sanctioned to oversee maintenance across the entire NH network.