MoRTH Tightens Quality Control Norms for EPC Mode Road Projects

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has introduced stricter quality control measures for road projects under the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode by mandating 100% inspection of all quality tests conducted by contractors.

This change applies to all new highway and bridge projects under the EPC model and these modifications have been made to the model EPC Agreement and the RFP for Consultancy Services for Authority Engineers to better align current practices with the increasing emphasis on achieving higher strength and serviceability standards throughout the design period of highway components.

The EPC mode of contract places the entire responsibility for the design, construction, and maintenance of the project on the contractor, with a longer defect liability and maintenance period of 5 to 10 years to ensure sustained quality. Until now, Authority Engineers were required to supervise only a specified percentage of the quality tests. However, under the new rules, Authority Engineers will now have to witness all the quality control tests performed by the contractor, a significant shift from the previous requirement of checking only 50% of the tests as prescribed in the earlier contracts.

The Ministry clarified that despite the enhanced 100% inspection by the Authority Engineers, contractors will still be held fully accountable for any lapses in quality and must bear the costs of correcting any errors or defects that arise.

The MoRTH’s decision is part of its broader strategy to ensure the quality and durability of national highway projects, which have seen significant investments in recent years. As part of the Bharatmala Phase 1 initiative, the government has awarded 14,748 km of highway projects under the EPC mode, with a total capital cost of ₹4,06,024 crore, out of the 26,425 km of road length awarded till March 31, 2024, at an estimated capital cost of ₹8,53,656 crore.

These new measures aim to eliminate inconsistencies, enhance project performance, and improve the overall safety and sustainability of national highway projects across India.