Gadkari reviews Amritsar-Jamnagar, Delhi-Mumbai NH stretches

27 Sep 2024 CW Team

Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, concerned about the numerous complaints regarding the poor maintenance of national highways during the monsoon, has directed his ministry to conduct a comprehensive investigation of both the Sohna-Vadodara stretch of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and the Amritsar-Jamnagar Expressway. He has instructed the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) to carry out this investigation as soon as possible.

In a separate directive, Gadkari has also ordered the ministry to examine the maintenance issues of the Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE), which serves as a bypass for Delhi. He referenced his recent experience traveling on the 135-km expressway during a plantation drive.

Gadkari has emphasized the need to hold those responsible accountable and called for the strictest action against them. Sources mentioned that the minister is actively pursuing investigations into such cases, especially after recent incidents.

Just days before the plantation event, reports surfaced of a section of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway collapsing in Rajasthan, as well as a large pothole on the newly built Amritsar-Jamnagar Economic Corridor. In response, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) imposed a Rs 5 million fine on the contractor for failing to address the defects in a timely manner, and two engineers from the Authority Engineer (AE) were dismissed for inadequate supervision and lapses. Similar action was taken against contractors, engineers, and officials involved in the Sohna-Mumbai Expressway.

During the plantation event, Gadkari issued a warning that negligence and poor maintenance of highways would not be tolerated and that both domestic and foreign contractors responsible would be blacklisted.

Technology

28 Oct 2025

Building Faster, Smarter, and Greener!

Backed by ULCCS’s century-old legacy, U-Sphere combines technology, modular design and sustainable practices to deliver faster and more efficient projects. In an interaction with CW, Rohit Prabhakar, Director - Business Development, shares how the company’s integrated model of ‘Speed-Build’, ‘Smart-Build’ and ‘Sustain-Build’ is redefining construction efficiency, quality and environmental responsibility in India.U-Sphere positions itself at the intersection of speed, sustainability and smart design. How does this translate into measurable efficiency on the ground?At U..

Smart Roads, Smarter India

India’s infrastructure boom is not only about laying more kilometres of highways – it’s about building them smarter, safer and more sustainably. From drones mapping fragile Himalayan slopes to 3D machine-controlled graders reducing human error, technology is steadily reshaping the way projects are planned and executed. Yet, the journey towards digitisation remains complex, demanding not just capital but also coordination, training and vision.Until recently, engineers largely depended on Survey of India toposheets and traditional survey methods like total stations or DGPS to prepare detai..

What Does DCPR 2034 Mean?

The Maharashtra government has eased approval norms for high-rise buildings under DCPR 2034, enabling the municipal commissioner to sanction projects up to 180 m on large plots. This change is expected to streamline approvals, reduce procedural delays and accelerate redevelopment, drawing reactions from developers, planners and industry experts about its implications for Mumbai’s vertical growth.Under the revised DCPR 2034 rules, buildings on plots of 2,000 sq m or more can now be approved up to 180 m by the municipal commissioner, provided structural and geotechnical reports are certified b..