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Highways Ministry Tightens BOT Contracts, Fines Contractors for Repeat Crashes Up to Rs 50 Lakh

The overhaul links crash management duties with performance ratings that could shape future bidding.

Overview

  • Under the revised BOT model concession document, a contractor faces a Rs 25 lakh penalty if more than one accident occurs on a defined stretch within a year, rising to Rs 50 lakh if another occurs the following year.
  • Contractors must undertake crash management and corrective actions on stretches they built, with detailed rules to be published soon.
  • The ministry has identified 3,500 accident‑prone locations across the National Highways network to prioritise fixes and oversight.
  • New monitoring and enforcement measures include monthly drone video uploads and a rating system using recent performance data that may affect bid eligibility.
  • The government says a nationwide cashless treatment scheme for crash victims is set for formal launch, offering up to Rs 1.5 lakh for the first seven days at designated hospitals following a multi‑state pilot.