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NEW DELHI: Highway contractors and concessionaires not meeting project quality standards will get up to 30 negative marks — a penalty that will lower their ratings and make it more difficult for them to secure new contracts in the future. Conversely, contractors who complete projects on time and maintain high quality will receive 30 and 40 marks, respectively.Under the framework for ‘Contractor/Concessionaire Rating System for NH Projects”, unveiled by the road transport ministry on Thursday, the maximum score will be 100 and the rating exercise will be held annually. Highway builders will be rated on seven parameters — timely completion, quality, maintenance, safety, disputes, subcontracting, overall performance and user rating, and negative marks for poor quality.This rating system is being introduced amid rising complaints about substandard construction, poor quality and inadequate maintenance of highway stretches. These issues have been flagged by PM Narendra Modi during highway sector review meetings and also by parliamentary panels. Highway minister Nitin Gadkari has repeatedly sought action against contractors for poor-quality work.According to the framework, failures, major defects, or stretches getting damaged before completion or during the defect-liability period will attract up to five negative points, while failures or defects in retaining (RE) walls will draw up to 10 negative points. Contractors will also be penalised for failing to deploy qualified professionals. Recent incidents such as damage on the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway and the collapse of an RE wall on NH-66 in Kerala have been glaring examples of poor-quality construction.Officials said the rating system assigns 70 marks for timely completion and quality, aiming to clearly identify high-performing contractors. “While poor performers will face penalties, good performers will be rewarded,” an official said. The rating will primarily be done during the construction period to ensure objective assessment and identification of performers and non-performers.All national highway projects completed or provisionally completed in the last three years will be eligible for ratings. Projects that have been underway for at least 180 days since the last appointed date will also be rated.Contracts will be grouped into three categories: Rs 100 crore–300 crore; Rs 300 crore–1,000 crore; and above Rs 1,000 crore.
