Government removes ‘bonus’ clause for early completion of NH projects in hill states

NEW DELHI: In its bid to ensure quality construction of highways in hills, govt has removed the ‘bonus’ incentive for early completion of projects in hill states. The road transport ministry has also mandated that newly cut slopes withstand at least one monsoon season before final road construction and has mandated stricter geological investigations and slope-monitoring measures in such projects.The ministry has modified the contract condition document for fully govt-funded projects works, known as EPC and consultancy works for preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) in all future national highway and centrally sponsored road projects in hill areas.The ministry, in a circular issued on Wednesday, said, “There shall be no Bonus clause in EPC contract National Highways projects in hilly region.” Under the existing EPC framework, contractors get a bonus of 0.03% of the contract value for every day a project is completed ahead of the schedule.It also mentioned that the rapid expansion and widening of NH corridors traversing mountainous, steep, and geologically sensitive hill terrains have historically involved extensive mechanical slope cuts, resulting in widespread landslides, erosion, and hillside destabilisation.As per the revised contract condition, contractors will be allowed to undertake a phased construction approach — they will initially be allowed to undertake only formation cutting and slope profiling. Later, pavement construction and permanent structures can be taken up only after newly cut slopes have remained stable through at least one monsoon season.The circular also says that payment milestones will be linked to slope protection measures such as sealing tension cracks, installing soil nails, rock bolts and ground anchors, and creating drainage systems to prevent water-induced slope failures.In the case of deep-cut sections exceeding six metres, borehole investigations must extend at least five metres into competent bedrock before designs are finalised. It said any proposal to modify approved slope protection measures will require scrutiny by independent institutions such as the Geological Survey of India or Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Ltd.