NHAI cracks down on contractor, officials over pavement damage on section of Amritsar–Jamnagar Economic Corridor, ET Infra
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ETInfra
The National Highways Authority of India ( NHAI ) has taken measures following the reported distressed condition of the pavement crust on certain sections of the six lane Sanchore–Santalpur section of the Amritsar–Jamnagar Economic Corridor (NH–754K) in Gujarat.The affected stretch, part of Package-4 (Kilana to Santalpur) constructed by CDS Infra Projects Limited , has exhibited failure over 1.35 km (3-lane) on the Left Hand Side across 10 patches and 1.36 km (3-lane) on the Right Hand Side in 5 patches. The total length of the corridor in Gujarat is 130 km.Preliminary investigations attribute the pavement failure to defects in the Aggregate Inter Layer (AIL), Cement Treated Base (CTB), and poor drainage. As the project operates on an Engineering Procurement & Construction (EPC) Mode and the Completion Certificate is yet to be issued, CDS Infra Projects Limited is liable to rectify all defects at its own risk and cost.In an immediate and decisive move, CDS Infra Projects Limited has been debarred from participating in all ongoing and future bids due to the pavement crust failure. A Show Cause Notice has also been issued to the contractor, proposing further debarment and a monetary penalty of ₹2.8 crore.The Authority's Engineer for the project, SA Infra in association with Upham, has also faced immediate debarment from participating in ongoing and future bids, with a Show Cause Notice for debarment having been issued. Adding to the swift disciplinary actions, the NHAI Project Director, Palanpur, has been placed under suspension.To thoroughly analyze the root causes of the pavement failure and recommend comprehensive remedial measures, Expert Committees have been constituted. These committees comprise retired and current professors from prestigious institutions including IIT-BHU, IIT-Delhi, and IIT-Gandhinagar. The expert teams are currently visiting the site, collecting samples, and conducting tests to inform their detailed recommendations.Meanwhile, CDS Infra Projects Limited has already commenced rectification work on the distressed sections, aiming to restore the crucial economic corridor to its intended standards.
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