“Abnormally” low bids draw flak from NHAI
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

“Abnormally” low bids draw flak from NHAI

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has raised concerns over engineering consultants quoting "abnormally" low bid prices as these impact the quality of work.

At the Consulting Engineers Association of India (CEAI), the National Highways Authority of India said the authority had to "unwillingly take some harsh steps" against consultants for poor quality work and urged the industry to put in place an internal mechanism for improvement in quality.

Heads of consultancy firms told media sources that most of the players in this segment have been quoting "abnormally" low bid amounts, and this has a direct bearing on the quality of work.

NHAI said its experience with consulting engineers has been mixed, and some projects that needed to be completed in 2-4 years face inordinate delays.

Earlier, in a different scenario, the Indian government was requested to step in to resolve a dispute between the state of Gujarat and solar power developers over the state's plan to rescind bids for a 700 MW solar project because of high tariffs and invite fresh ones. The parent body for electricity development in the state, Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL), had awarded the contracts to state-run SJVN Ltd, Tata Power Co, and ReNew Power to build solar capacity at tariffs as much as Rs 2.81 per kWh.

Image Source


4th Indian Cement Review Conference 2021

17-18 March 

Click for event info


The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has raised concerns over engineering consultants quoting abnormally low bid prices as these impact the quality of work. At the Consulting Engineers Association of India (CEAI), the National Highways Authority of India said the authority had to unwillingly take some harsh steps against consultants for poor quality work and urged the industry to put in place an internal mechanism for improvement in quality. Heads of consultancy firms told media sources that most of the players in this segment have been quoting abnormally low bid amounts, and this has a direct bearing on the quality of work. NHAI said its experience with consulting engineers has been mixed, and some projects that needed to be completed in 2-4 years face inordinate delays. Earlier, in a different scenario, the Indian government was requested to step in to resolve a dispute between the state of Gujarat and solar power developers over the state's plan to rescind bids for a 700 MW solar project because of high tariffs and invite fresh ones. The parent body for electricity development in the state, Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL), had awarded the contracts to state-run SJVN Ltd, Tata Power Co, and ReNew Power to build solar capacity at tariffs as much as Rs 2.81 per kWh. Image Source4th Indian Cement Review Conference 202117-18 March Click for event info

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Resources

NCC Founder and Padma Shri Awardee AVS Raju Passes Away at 89

Dr Alluri Venkata Satyanarayana Raju, founder and Chairman Emeritus of NCC Limited and a Padma Shri awardee, passed away in Hyderabad on 13 October 2026. He was 89.Born on 18 April 1937 in Antarvedipalem village in Andhra Pradesh's erstwhile East Godavari district, Raju began his entrepreneurial journey in 1956. He established Nagarjuna Construction Company (NCC) Limited in 1978, which subsequently emerged as one of India's leading construction and infrastructure companies.Under his leadership, NCC became a public limited company in 1990 and expanded into one of India's prominent listed constr..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Embraer to Acquire 51 Per Cent Stake in Mahindra Aerospace Arm

Brazilian aerospace major Embraer will acquire a 51 per cent equity stake in Novavayu Aerospace, a step-down subsidiary of Mahindra and Mahindra, under an Investment Agreement notified by the automobile company in an exchange filing. The transaction will give Embraer control of the aerospace business. Following completion of the acquisition, Novavayu Aerospace will cease to be a wholly owned subsidiary and become an associate of Mahindra Defence Systems, which is a step-down wholly owned subsidiary of Mahindra and Mahindra. The agreement is expected to be completed on or before December 1. Mah..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

RBI Opens Special Dollar Window for Three State-Run OMCs

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has opened a special facility to meet the entire daily US dollar requirements of three public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs), in a move aimed at easing pressure on the Indian rupee. The facility will take effect on October 12, 2026, and remain available until further notice. Indian Oil Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation and Bharat Petroleum Corporation are eligible to use the arrangement. Under the facility, the RBI will sell US dollars to the three companies through designated banks, allowing them to meet their oil-import payments without sourc..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code