NHAI highway project quality checks will inspect 17 under-construction national highway projects across India starting this year. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways confirmed that these special inspections target projects with bids quoted over 15% below estimated costs. Consequently, the first round of rigorous quality inspections will conclude by December 2026. Furthermore, a separate team of experts will re-inspect these identified sites six months later to ensure strict compliance.
Selection criteria for NHAI highway project quality checks
These special quality audits supplement regular inspections to catch construction flaws at an early stage. Specifically, the authority selected projects based on three objective, data-driven criteria to maintain high technical standards.
| Selection Criterion | Benchmark Threshold |
| Construction Cost | Exceeds Rs 500 crore |
| Tender Discount | Exceeds 15% below estimated cost |
| Physical Progress | Between 35% and 80% complete |
Meanwhile, the 17 selected developments include greenfield expressways, access-controlled corridors, bypasses, and multi-lane highway works. The projects span nine states, including Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh.
Experienced technical teams lead quality oversight
Furthermore, 39 retired government engineers will lead the specialized inspection teams. These experts bring extensive experience from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Defence, and State Public Works Departments. Technical specialists will also assist these teams throughout the site visits.
Inspectors will compare ongoing works against approved contract drawings, technical specifications, and project quality plans. Additionally, teams will evaluate construction materials, workmanship standards, sampling records, traffic management, road safety measures, and environmental safeguards. Contractors failing to meet mandatory standards will face swift corrective action under applicable contract provisions. Ultimately, these targeted checks will improve contractor accountability across all major road corridors.
