In a decisive move following public concerns, a contractor responsible for Package 9 of the Delhi-Vadodara Expressway has been slapped with a hefty Rs. 50 lakh penalty for failing to address road defects in a timely manner. The issue, brought to light in a video posted on Instagram on September 10, 2024, highlighted a specific stretch at Ch.280.980 (LHS), sparking a swift investigation ordered by the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways.
Following the inquiry, several key personnel have faced strict disciplinary action. The Team Leader-cum-Resident Engineer of the Authority Engineer was terminated due to poor oversight and failures in supervision, while the Site Engineer was also relieved of duties. Show cause notices have been served to the Project Director and Manager (Tech), holding them accountable for the lapses.
The video, recorded prior to September 7, 2024, showed temporary repairs at the site. Due to continuous heavy rains, further permanent rectifications were delayed but are expected to commence once the weather improves.
An expert investigation team, including prominent professors from IIT Kharagpur and IIT Gandhinagar, has been assembled to assess the underlying causes and recommend remedial measures. Additionally, M/s Sriram Institute, New Delhi, has been tasked with collecting and testing samples from the affected area to ensure long-term durability of the expressway.
This action reflects the ministry’s strict stance on maintaining safety standards and accountability in national infrastructure projects.
