In its endeavour to maintain high quality standards in highway development, NHAI is taking all steps to ensure adherence to the standards during construction and maintenance of the projects, said a release by the authority. In order to deal with the lapses in highway development, NHAI is acting tough on the defaulters by taking strict actions.On the mis-happening of collapse of RE Wall on Jetpur-Gondal Section of NH-8B in Gujarat, NHAI has taken strict action against the defaulting firms/personnel involved with the project as detailed below, stated the release:KN Mathur, Team Leader cum Senior Highway Engineer in Sai Consulting Engineers has been debarred for a period of two years from engagement on NHAI projects to be taken either directly or indirectly, for not performing duties as per consultancy agreement.RB Singh, Sr. Bridge Engineer in Sai Consulting Engineers has been debarred for a period of two years from engagement on NHAI projects to be taken either directly or indirectly, for not performing duties as per consultancy agreement.For defaults in project design and supervision by Independent Consultant, NHAI has debarred Sai Consulting Engineers for a period of two years from participating/engagement in any future project/ bid of NHAI projects to be taken directly or indirectly.For defaults in proper Operation & Maintenance of the project, NHAI has debarred Wadia Techno-Engineering Services in association with Varad Associate and its directors for a period of one year from participating/engagement in any future project/ bid of NHAI projects to be taken directly or indirectly.For defaults in proper design, engineering, construction and Operation & Maintenance of the project, NHAI has debarred Western Gujarat Expressway (promoted by Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services) and its directors for a period of two years from participating/engagement in any future project/ bid of NHAI projects to be taken directly or indirectly.Apart from fixing responsibilities, taking action against defaulting firms/personnel and to have a responsive post-incident mechanism in place, NHAI has also framed a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to deal with such untoward incidents.As per the SOP, in case of a mis-happening at the project site, a team of three experts will be appointed by NHAI to visit the site within 24 hours to carry out technical analysis and anlayse the reasons along with fixing the responsibility for the failure, said the release. The situation will be monitored on hourly basis. The team will submit the preliminary report within three days and the final report within seven days.  Further, the report submitted by the experts will be examined at NHAI HQ and deterrent action shall be initiated against the individuals/ firms responsible for the incident. Action against NHAI officers will also be taken, if found guilty of dereliction of their duty.Commenting on the matter, said Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, Chairman, NHAI, “Our top priority is to ensure delivery of high-quality National Highways. Any lapses in the matter shall not be tolerated and strict action shall be taken against defaulting contractors and consultants. At the same time, good work shall be appreciated by all means.”