Govt Mandates Highway Maintenance by Contractors

22 Feb 2025 CW Team

The Union government has introduced stricter guidelines for national highway construction, making contractors responsible for road maintenance for up to five years after project completion.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has mandated an audit six months post-construction to ensure compliance. Under the updated Defects Liability Period (DLP), contractors must promptly address any repair issues before their obligations expire. These changes follow complaints of negligence in several states and recommendations from NGOs advocating for better highway upkeep.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed the ministry to prioritize world-class highway construction with stringent quality controls. The government aims to enforce stricter adherence to Short-Term Maintenance Contracts (STMC) and Performance-Based Maintenance Contracts (PBMC) to improve road conditions.

Highway damage is reported in about 1% of India's 146,195-km network annually. The government allocated $2 billion for repairs in FY24, with $2.05 billion planned for the current year.

Contractors in Kerala and other states will also be bound by these revised norms. "Any new maintenance-related issues will be addressed in accordance with these updated guidelines," confirmed B.L. Meena, Kerala Regional Officer, NHAI.

Infrastructure Urban

06 Jul 2026

ABS Marine Sees CRISIL Credit Rating Upgrade

ABS Marine Services has secured an upgrade to its long term and short term credit ratings from CRISIL, reflecting improved profitability and revenue growth through long term contracts. CRISIL moved the long term rating from BBB+/Stable to A-/Stable and revised the short term rating from A2 to A2+. The action signals strengthened financial metrics and operational resilience. The company benefited from durable client relationships with firms such as ONGC and Schlumberger. The rating decision followed stronger cash flows and an enlarged bank loan facility, which increased from Rs 3,705 million (m..

Project BRAHMANK Marks 16 Years Of Strategic Roads In Arunachal

Project BRAHMANK is marking 16 years of work to establish strategic road and bridge links across Arunachal Pradesh, maintaining and developing 811 kilometres of roads and nearly 86 bridges that range from small culverts to large steel and arch bridges. These transport links are described as critical for ensuring year-round movement of defence personnel, equipment and essential supplies while improving everyday travel for people in remote villages. The project balances national security requirements with regional development by focusing on reliable access in challenging terrain. Notable enginee..

Longleng CSOs Give One Week Ultimatum Over Two-Lane Highway

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Longleng district have demanded immediate restoration of the deteriorating Changtongya–Longleng two-lane road and sought a detailed status report on the stalled construction within one week. The demand followed a consultative meeting convened under the Phom Peoples' Council (PPC) to discuss welfare and development concerns. PPC president YB Angam Phom said prolonged non-maintenance had caused hardship to commuters and affected transportation, local commerce and the district's development. The meeting urged authorities to undertake immediate restoration a..