The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is conducting special quality inspections of 17 under-construction National Highway projects where bid values were more than 15 per cent below estimated project costs. The initiative is intended to strengthen quality control during construction and identify problems early enough for corrective action. The inspections are in addition to regular quality checks. NHAI said the first round is scheduled for completion by December 2026, after which the selected projects will be re-inspected following six months by a different team of experts to assess quality and compliance with construction standards. The projects were selected using three criteria: construction costs exceeding Rs. 5 bn, tender discounts of more than 15 per cent, and physical progress between 35 per cent and 80 per cent. NHAI said the criteria focus attention on projects at an important construction stage and support an objective, data-driven approach to quality monitoring. The portfolio covers greenfield and access-controlled corridors, bypasses, and four- and six-laning works across Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. To reinforce its quality mechanisms, NHAI has created a pool of specialists to support the inspection programme. The inspections will be led by 39 experienced and retired engineers from government organisations, including the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Defence and state public works departments. Technical specialists will also assist the teams during the reviews. Inspectors will compare construction work with approved drawings, technical specifications, contract conditions and project-specific quality plans. They will assess construction materials, workmanship, methods, and sampling and testing records, while also reviewing road safety, traffic management and environmental safeguards where applicable. NHAI said the exercise should help identify recurring quality issues, improve construction practices and clarify areas where contractors, consultants and other stakeholders need to provide greater accountability.