The government said on Wednesday that as many as 145 projects under the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) for construction of 5,311 km of highways are running behind schedule.
“There are 145 NHDP projects running behind schedule…In case the project is delayed due to reasons attributable to the contractor, liquidated damages are imposed and no escalation is paid…The overall escalation can only be calculated after completion of the projects,” Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways R P N Singh said in Rajya Sabha.
He said the total length of the projects under 145 National Highways Development Project schemes was 5,311 km out of which 2,943 km have been completed.
As a punitive measure, the government has cancelled 25 contracts for delays while declaring 25 contractors as non performers.
“Due to delay in completion of projects 25 contracts have been terminated by NHAI. Further due to consistent non-performance in construction 20 contractors were also declared non-performers and debarred from bidding in NHAI projects,” the Minister said in a written reply.
He informed the Upper House that NHAI has set up regional offices, headed by Chief General Managers to expedite implementation of projects.