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The era of “speed at any cost” is coming to an abrupt halt. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has formally drawn a line in the sand, causing waves across the infrastructure industry. The Prime Minister has issued a strict mandate to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to improve construction quality by May 2026, following repeated reports of potholed motorways and cracking asphalt.
This is not simply another administrative reminder. It is a comprehensive crackdown on the “shoddy work” culture that has hampered some of India’s most ambitious initiatives. For the millions of commuters who have endured bone-rattling stretches during the rains, this news is a breath of fresh air. However, for contractors who have been cutting costs, the clock is suddenly ticking.
Table of Contents
A Mission for Excellence
Quality Over Quantity Shift
For the past decade, the government has focused on the sheer rate of expansion. The feat of expanding the national highway network by 60%—from 91,300 km in 2014 to more than 1.46 lakh km today—was apparent. However, the current public outrage about road conditions following rainstorms has moved the focus. PM Modi has made it plain that “more” is no longer sufficient; highways must be “better.”
New SOPs on the Horizon
The Prime Minister has urged the development of strong Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). These new guidelines aim to close accountability gaps. A contractor can no longer finish a road and then walk away if the surface collapses after the first hard rain. The May deadline is set for these new systems to be completely operational, ensuring that every kilometre of pavement satisfies international requirements.
Cleaning the Contractor House
The End of the Road for Blacklisted Firms
One of the report’s most important points is the Prime Minister’s proposal for a “foolproof mechanism” to keep banned contractors out. Previously, firms barred for poor performance frequently found ways back into the system via dummy companies or indirect participation. The loophole is being welded shut. According to the regulation, if you fail the quality test once, your name will be permanently removed from the bidding list.
Penalizing the “Litigious” Players
The paper also identifies an unexpected new target: litigious contractors. PM Modi has remarked that some companies routinely use arbitration and court fights to cover up project delays or poor work. Under the new rule, “litigative behaviour” will result in lower performance ratings. If a contractor spends more time in court than on-site, their prospects of securing future government contracts decrease.
Tightening the Reins
Subcontracting Under Scrutiny
For years, the practice of “subcontracting without approval” has been a significant quality killer. Large corporations would win a bid and then delegate the actual job to smaller, less-capable local players. This is the end. New standards will need prior clearance from highway authorities for any engagement of a subcontractor, ensuring that the original quality promise is not compromised further down the chain.
Stopping the “Highway Conversion” Trend
In a significant policy shift, the Prime Minister has directed the ministry to discontinue the usual process of transforming state roadways to national highways. The idea is to prioritise “economy-centric” development, which involves connecting important industrial and commercial hubs rather than simply adding numbers to the map.
Speed and Accountability
The 70 kmph Challenge
It’s more than just the surface; it’s about the flow. PM Modi has questioned why many high-speed routes now average only 50 kmph despite being intended for 70 kmph. A rigorous evaluation is currently ongoing to discover design problems and execution deficiencies. The message is clear: the infrastructure must work as advertised.
No More Collusion
The research also raises concerns about potential cooperation between contractors and landowners to delay property purchase, which often results in costly arbitration. The government has been tasked with conducting a thorough analysis of these tendencies. By expediting this procedure, the government seeks to eliminate the “legal shield” that many contractors use to justify subpar performance.
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