MoRTH Mandates Precast Concrete for Highway Projects Above ₹300 Crore

In a landmark policy initiative that could redefine infrastructure contracting in India, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has mandated the use of precast concrete components in national highway, expressway, and other centrally sponsored road projects with civil construction costs exceeding ₹300 crore.

This mandate, notified through a policy circular dated June 24, 2025, shall apply to all projects where bids are received 90 days after the date of the circular and is part of MoRTH’s broader push under PM Gati Shakti and India’s Net-Zero transition framework.

The circular positions precast technology not merely as a construction preference, but as a legal and operational standard for eligible projects. The MoRTH justifies the shift by citing benefits particularly relevant to built-up areas and urban municipal zones, such as:

1. Reduced environmental pollution;
2. Minimized traffic disruption and user time delays;
3. Enhanced quality assurance through controlled casting environments.

The move builds upon MoRTH’s earlier directive dated April 8, 2022, regarding the National Highway Pre-cast Policy, which mandated a minimum of 25% precast usage in specific projects within a 100 km radius of a precast facility.

The directive clearly outlines a range of structural and non-structural elements that must be constructed using precast components:

1. Box culverts (of specified sizes).
2. Stormwater drains cum footpaths.
3. Chute drains with dissipation chambers.
4. Boundary walls, toe walls, and fences.
5. RCC crash barriers and RS wall friction slabs.
6. Kerbs and channels.
7. Pedestrian and median railings.

Precast elements may be either:

1. Factory-produced by certified manufacturers, or
2. Cast on-site at a dedicated precast yard established by the contractor.

Notably, on-site pre-casting does not require third-party certification, whereas factory-made components must meet defined quality benchmarks.

Further, the circular mandates that Schedule ‘B’ or Schedule ‘C’ of the EPC or PPP contract agreements for eligible projects shall now include express clauses mandating the use of precast technology. These provisions must also specify:

1. Applicable standards and specifications.
2. Approved drawings.
3. Compliance mechanisms for factory-made or on-site precasting.

To ensure optimal implementation, project proposals must include a sheet estimating the extent of precast usage quantified in terms of cost, units, and percentage of total quantity.

The directive lays down an extensive quality control framework to support this transition. Key provisions include:

1. Design Compliance: All components must conform to IRC and BIS standards. Where these are silent, international codes (example AASHTO, FHWA, Japan codes, etc.) may be adopted.
2. Pre-bid Integration: Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) must incorporate precast items from the design stage, using CPWD or Delhi Schedule of Rates (DSR)-based rate analysis.
3. Standardization and Record Keeping: Executing agencies must maintain both as-built and as-designed drawings and upload them, along with manufacturer details, to the NHAI Datalake.
4. Factory Certification: Off-site manufacturing units must meet ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 standards. Products must be tested in NABL-accredited labs and carry barcoded traceability. Formal certification is exempted for precast elements manufactured at the project site but must meet the project agreement’s specifications and undergo AE/IE review. Additionally, all quality control activities must align with MoRTH’s Policy Circular dated February 20, 2025, and IS:15916 standards.
5. Review Protocol: Authority/Independent Engineers (AE/IE) are responsible for approving designs and quality audits. Any clarifications sought by the engineer must be sourced by the contractor from the manufacturer and submitted back for approval.

The MoRTH has clarified that the use of precast elements may be waived only in cases of technical infeasibility arising from site-specific constraints. However, such deviations must be justified through engineering documentation and approved through the appropriate channel.

The circular further encourages the standardization of component sizes and methodologies to maximize reuse of moulds and enable economies of scale.

This policy has far-reaching implications for contractual drafting, project planning, and construction law. Legal practitioners advising clients in highway and infrastructure sectors must now account for:

1. The integration of precast compliance obligations into tender documents and contracts;
2. Additional performance guarantees and liability clauses linked to quality certification and traceability;
3. The legal enforceability of on-site vs. off-site pre-casting provisions and related liability allocation.

MoRTH’s push for precast technology is driven by the twin goals of efficiency and sustainability. By moving key construction activities off-site, the approach reduces pollution, minimizes urban disruption, and shortens timelines while aligning with global standards and Net-Zero targets. In mandating precast components, MoRTH signals a shift toward modern, standardized, and eco-friendly highway construction, setting the stage for faster delivery, better quality, and a cleaner infrastructure future.