NHAI orders audits, inspections for new highways after Del-Dehradun Expressway defects

Following recent defects on the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced stringent new guidelines for quality, safety, and event management on newly inaugurated national highway projects. These measures include mandatory independent audits for significant projects and enhanced inspections once highways are open to the public.

The NHAI's decision comes after the Delhi–Dehradun Expressway, inaugurated in April, suffered from potholes, cracks, and a cave-in shortly after opening, particularly after heavy rainfall. The new guidelines, issued on Friday, aim to incorporate lessons learned from recent project inaugurations and foundation-laying events.

For large-scale projects, including greenfield expressways and those with a capital cost exceeding ₹2,500 crore, NHAI will require independent audits by third-party entities or premier institutions like IITs and NITs. These audits will assess factors such as anticipated traffic impact, drainage systems, and related issues.

Furthermore, NHAI has directed its media teams to actively monitor print and digital media. They are tasked with preparing swift responses or "counter narratives" to address reports perceived as factually incorrect or politically motivated, in coordination with regional offices. The authority also mandates joint inspections by contractors and consultants for the first six months after a highway opens, focusing on pavement quality, drainage, safety, and embankment stability. Route patrol vehicles will also conduct regular checks, with defects to be geo-tagged and reported for immediate rectification.