MoRTH Issues Directive to Ensure Compliance with Updated Policy Circulars in National Highway Projects

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has issued a directive to all state governments, union territories, and central agencies involved in national highway projects to ensure that the design, construction, and maintenance of these projects adhere to the latest policy circulars issued by the Ministry. This directive aims to maintain uniformity and compliance across all ongoing and future projects.

In a detailed communication, the MoRTH has highlighted the need for strict adherence to updated standards and specifications, as defined under various Indian Roads Congress (IRC) codes, the MoRTH Specifications for Road and Bridge Works, and any supplementary guidelines issued with bid documents. The directive is targeted at EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) and HAM (Hybrid Annuity Model) projects, with specific emphasis on Schedule-D of the contract agreement, which details the applicable standards and specifications.

The circular notes that since the publication of the fifth revision of MoRTH Specifications for Road and Bridge Works in 2013, several policy circulars have been issued to address advancements in design, materials, construction, and maintenance technology. These circulars also reflect the outcomes of research projects, pilot projects, and feedback from stakeholders, which have contributed to improvements in quality, durability, safety, and sustainability standards.

The communication underscores that these circulars are not always explicitly mentioned in the contract agreements, leading to inconsistencies during project implementation. As a remedial measure, MoRTH has directed that all construction-related circulars issued after the fifth revision be mandatorily included in Schedule-D of the contract agreements for all ongoing and new DPR (Detailed Project Report) preparations. This requirement will apply to all consultancy services where the draft feasibility report is yet to be submitted.

This directive, approved by the Competent Authority, seeks to eliminate any discrepancies and ensure that all national highway projects conform to the latest standards and guidelines, thereby enhancing the overall quality and safety of the country’s road infrastructure.