Experts Investigate Uneven Sections In Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, Nitin Gadkari Assures Action
New Dehi/Mumbai, 6th December 2024: Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, stated on Thursday that experts are investigating “deficiencies” in the construction of the Delhi-Vadodara (DVE) section of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. He emphasized that strict action would be taken against contractors and supervising consultants if any issues were identified.
Gadkari clarified that no substandard materials had been found, but some sections of the road were uneven, causing bumps. He asserted, “If the contractor is not performing well, I will take strict action and won’t tolerate any negligence.” He was responding to Nagaur MP Hanuman Beniwal’s query about potential “technical flaws” in the expressway.
The minister explained that certain deficiencies were observed in the construction of the DVE section, with experts from IIT Kharagpur currently investigating the problem. The section uses a new technology called perpetual pavement with Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) for the wearing course. Gadkari also noted that heavy rains during the monsoon had led to damage in some areas of the Sohna-Dausa section, which is already open to traffic.
Notices have been issued to the officers responsible for these issues. Based on the investigation’s findings, the minister assured that “strict action” would be taken against the contractors and consultants. He added that the contractor is relaying the damaged stretches at their own expense.
In response to a different question from MP Chandra Shekhar of Uttar Pradesh’s Nagina, Gadkari revealed that out of the 146,195 km National Highways (NH) network, around 816 km have reported damage. He further mentioned that ₹6,523 crore had been allocated for National Highway development in FY 2023-24, up from ₹3,011 crore in FY 2019-20. He emphasized that NH maintenance is an ongoing process, with regular assessments conducted by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and its agencies to ensure the roads remain in traffic-worthy condition.
