A senior official from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) carried out a site inspection on Sunday, 13 July, along a damaged segment of the Bharatmala highway near the Bakutra toll plaza in Santalpur taluka, Patan district, Gujarat.
The highway segment in question forms part of a 135-kilometre corridor linking Sanchor in Rajasthan to Santalpur in Gujarat. A 1.35-kilometre section of this road had recently shown visible surface deterioration following monsoon rainfall. NHAI’s official, Venkatraman, led the on-site inspection to evaluate the nature and cause of the damage.
During the visit, samples were collected from the affected road section. These samples have been sent for laboratory testing to determine the quality of materials used. According to an official statement, Venkatraman stated that further action will depend on the test results. If any deficiencies are detected, legal proceedings will be initiated against those responsible.
The contractor who executed the construction work on the affected portion has already received a formal notice. The NHAI has indicated that it will assess the test outcomes before taking any disciplinary steps or initiating penalties. The inspection is part of routine oversight, particularly in light of increasing public concern about the durability of recently built highway stretches.
Venkatraman also addressed the inconvenience caused to commuters due to the road condition and assured that remedial work would be taken up to ensure safe and uninterrupted movement. The inspection team included Patan District Collector Tushar Kumar Bhatt, NHAI Regional Officer Sunil Yadav, and representatives from the state’s Roads and Buildings Department.
This inspection comes amid wider scrutiny over road construction quality across the country. Multiple incidents in recent months have brought attention to surface failures and early-stage deterioration on national highway corridors. In particular, concerns have been raised about execution standards under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, a flagship infrastructure development programme aimed at strengthening road connectivity.
Gujarat and Kerala have both seen reports of premature failures on highway projects. In response, the NHAI has increased its focus on quality checks, materials testing, and contract enforcement. Officials have stated that such inspections will become more regular, especially during and after monsoon seasons, to identify early signs of structural or surface-level issues.
The outcome of the test results from the Bakutra site is expected to guide the next course of action. If violations of material standards or execution lapses are found, penalties, including blacklisting or legal steps, may be initiated under applicable contractual provisions.
