In a sweeping crackdown to uphold transparency and integrity in toll operations, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has debarred 14 user fee collection agencies for irregularities at toll plazas, following raids and a high-level investigation.
The unprecedented move comes after the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) conducted surprise inspections at the Atraila Shiv Ghulam Toll Plaza in Mirzapur district. Based on a subsequent FIR, NHAI swiftly issued Show Cause Notices to the implicated agencies.
Despite being given the opportunity to respond, the agencies’ explanations were found unsatisfactory. In response, NHAI has taken strict contractual action, debarring the agencies and forfeiting over ₹100 crore worth of performance securities for breach of agreement terms.
The debarred agencies are:
- M/s A. K. Construction
- M/s Alok Buildtech Pvt. Ltd.
- M/s Anil Kumar Shukla
- M/s Ashish Agarwal
- M/s Innovision Ltd.
- M/s M. B. Construction
- M/s Maa Narmada Traders
- M/s R. K. Jain Infra Projects
- M/s SPC Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd.
- M/s T. Suryanarayana Reddy
- M/s Vanshika Construction
- M/s Westwell Iron & Steel Pvt. Ltd.
- M/s Bhola Nath Rajpati Shukla
- M/s Shiva Buildtech Pvt. Ltd.
To avoid disruption in highway operations, NHAI will initiate the process of appointing new agencies to manage the affected toll plazas. The outgoing firms will be instructed to transfer operations without delay.
Reaffirming its commitment to accountability, NHAI stated that it maintains a policy of zero tolerance toward corruption and contractual violations. “We are determined to uphold the highest standards in highway management,” the authority said in a statement, “and any agency found compromising these standards will face immediate and severe consequences.”
This action sends a strong message to all stakeholders in the road infrastructure ecosystem: mismanagement and malpractices will not be tolerated, and contractual obligations must be honored in full.
