PM Modi sets May deadline to prioritise quality improvement of highways

Modi Issues Strict Deadline Amid Rising Complaints

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the Ministry of Road Transport a clear deadline of May to shift its focus entirely to improving the quality of India's highways. This move comes after a wave of complaints about crumbling roads, especially those battered by monsoons, which have exposed serious flaws in construction and upkeep. During a detailed review of the highway sector, Modi stressed the need for tough standard operating procedures to plug gaps in accountability and enforce uniform quality standards across projects.

The directive highlights growing frustration with substandard work that endangers commuters and hampers economic growth. Officials point to weak oversight by government engineers and consultants as major culprits, allowing shoddy practices to persist. Modi's intervention aims to turn the tide, ensuring highways stand up to India's diverse weather and heavy traffic demands. With the national highway network ballooning under his government, this push for quality over quantity signals a maturing approach to infrastructure development.

Crackdown on Underperforming Contractors and Litigators

In a bold step to clean up the sector, Modi has ordered decisive action against contractors who deliver poor results or tie up projects in endless litigation. Underperforming firms face blacklisting, with a foolproof system to prevent them from sneaking back through proxies. Those notorious for "litigative behaviour," like frequent arbitration claims, will get hit with lower performance ratings, making it harder for them to win future bids.

This crackdown addresses long-standing issues where lax supervision has let quality slide. The Prime Minister wants subcontractors reined in too, requiring prior approvals from higher authorities before they join new projects. Such measures should smooth execution and cut surprises that often derail timelines and budgets. By holding everyone accountable, the government hopes to foster a culture of excellence in highway building.

Strategic Shifts in Highway Policy and Operations

the Prime Minister emphasized during the review meeting. Modi has also slammed the brakes on converting state highways into national ones, urging a more targeted expansion. The national network has surged nearly 60 percent since 2014, from about 91,300 kilometers to 146,000 kilometers, but now the emphasis is on economy-centric growth—linking key industrial and commercial hubs rather than blanket expansion. States will handle their roads, while the Centre sets quality benchmarks.

We must ensure that every kilometer of highway built justifies the public's trust and investment, with no room for shortcuts or excuses that compromise safety and durability,

Another focus is high-speed corridors, which are limping along at just 50 kilometers per hour instead of the targeted 70. The ministry must probe design flaws, execution hurdles, and regulatory snags to fix these vital arteries. Meanwhile, highway developers are pushing back on overly tight construction timelines in public-private partnerships, arguing that rushed schedules sacrifice quality for speed. Their plea to review these norms underscores the balancing act between ambition and realism in India's infrastructure boom.

These changes reflect a broader rethink: highways aren't just about length but reliability. By May, the ministry must roll out these reforms, potentially transforming travel across the country. Stricter rules could weed out bad actors, boost speeds, and make roads monsoon-proof, benefiting millions of daily users from truckers to families on road trips.

In summary, PM Modi's May deadline marks a pivotal push for highway excellence, targeting contractor accountability, policy tweaks, and operational fixes to deliver safer, faster, and more durable roads for India's future.