NHAI Tightens RFP Norms to Strengthen Quality and Transparency in Highway Projects

06 Oct 2025 CW Team

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced stricter provisions in its Request for Proposal (RFP) framework to enhance the quality, transparency, and accountability of National Highway projects. The revised norms aim to ensure that only technically competent and experienced contractors qualify for large-scale works. NHAI has clarified that the “Similar Work” criterion will now apply exclusively to completed highway projects with all major components comparable to those under bid, curbing misuse by firms with limited or unrelated experience. The Authority has also restricted unauthorised subcontracting and engagement of EPC contractors in HAM and BOT projects without prior approval. Violations will now be treated as “Undesirable Practices” attracting penalties akin to fraudulent behaviour. Further, the use of third party-sourced bid or performance securities has been disallowed to strengthen financial accountability. These measures, NHAI said, will ensure timely execution, higher quality, and better utilisation of public funds across India’s highway network.

Infrastructure Transport

01 Jun 2026

MMRDA advances 250 m on Orange Gate–Marine Drive tunnel

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has completed 250 m of underground tunnelling for the Orange Gate–Marine Drive Urban Road Tunnel using India’s largest slurry shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) deployed for an urban road project.The project involves twin tunnels extending over 7 km beneath critical transport corridors, including Central Railway, Western Railway and Metro Line 3. The work requires high-precision engineering to navigate densely developed urban infrastructure.Once completed, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marin..

Hindustan Zinc Pays Rs 188.46 Billion in FY26

Hindustan Zinc contributed Rs 188.46 billion to the public exchequer in FY 2025-26, according to its 9th Tax Transparency Report. The contribution, equivalent to 46 per cent of the company’s revenue, included direct and indirect taxes, government royalties, dividends to the Government of India, withholding taxes and other statutory levies.The company’s five-year cumulative contribution to the exchequer stood at Rs 915.72 billion. In FY26, Hindustan Zinc reported revenue of Rs 408.44 billion, EBITDA of Rs 221.62 billion and profit after tax of Rs 138.32 billion. It also achieved its highest..

World of Concrete India 2026 Opens in Mumbai

Informa Markets in India will host the 12th edition of World of Concrete India 2026 from 3–5 June 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The specialised B2B exhibition will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, developers, architects, consultants, infrastructure companies, project leaders and government stakeholders.The event is expected to feature over 350 brands and more than 18,000 trade professionals. It will cover concrete and cement, dry mortar, precast technologies, formwork, construction chemicals, industrial and commercial flooring, scaffolding, safety solutio..