The Union government has introduced stricter guidelines for national highway construction, making contractors responsible for road maintenance for up to five years after project completion.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has mandated an audit six months post-construction to ensure compliance. Under the updated Defects Liability Period (DLP), contractors must promptly address any repair issues before their obligations expire. These changes follow complaints of negligence in several states and recommendations from NGOs advocating for better highway upkeep.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed the ministry to prioritize world-class highway construction with stringent quality controls. The government aims to enforce stricter adherence to Short-Term Maintenance Contracts (STMC) and Performance-Based Maintenance Contracts (PBMC) to improve road conditions.

Highway damage is reported in about 1% of India's 146,195-km network annually. The government allocated $2 billion for repairs in FY24, with $2.05 billion planned for the current year.

Contractors in Kerala and other states will also be bound by these revised norms. "Any new maintenance-related issues will be addressed in accordance with these updated guidelines," confirmed B.L. Meena, Kerala Regional Officer, NHAI.