Overview
- NHAI issued formal clarifications to its RFPs to elevate contractor eligibility, enforce execution discipline, and increase financial transparency on national highway projects.
- The definition of “similar work” now counts only completed highway projects that include all major components comparable to those required in the bid.
- Unauthorised or excessive subcontracting in EPC, HAM, and BOT (Toll) projects is designated an “undesirable practice” with fraud-level penalties, including forfeiture of bid and performance securities.
- Third-party-sourced bid and performance securities are prohibited, with only bidder-backed or approved instruments to be accepted.
- The ministry says the measures will improve quality, speed completion, and reduce lifecycle costs, with an August policy circular also tightening proof-of-experience documentation.