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

03 Apr 2026

CSIR Transfers Bio-Bitumen Technology For Sustainable Roads

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) organised a technology transfer event to promote a bio-bitumen production process derived from lignocellulosic biomass and farm residue. The process was developed jointly by the CSIR–Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) and the CSIR–Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP). The event outlined how agricultural biomass can be converted into a renewable alternative to petroleum based bitumen. Senior ministers and CSIR leadership attended, including the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development, the..

Northern Coalfields Achieves 140 mn Tonnes Target Early

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DGCA And Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya Sign MoU To Train Aviation Workforce

Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) signed a memorandum of understanding to share and enhance knowledge and skills in aviation, aviation engineering and aviation management. The agreement was signed by DGCA head Faiz Ahmed Kidwai and GSV vice chancellor Manoj Choudhury in the presence of senior government officials. The partnership aims to create industry?aligned training pathways and research linkages. The primary objective is to promote quality manpower for the aviation and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) sector through an undergraduate d..