Three relatively short stretches in Gujarat, totalling just 87 km, have emerged as a major bottleneck in the construction of the 1,386-km Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, one of India’s most ambitious infrastructure projects with an estimated cost of Rs 1.04 lakh crore. Despite their limited length, delays in these sections have had a disproportionate impact on the overall timeline of the expressway. According to a report by The Indian Express, all three stretches were awarded to Pune-based Roadway Solutions India Infra Ltd (RSIIL), whose slow progress has raised serious concerns within the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
Repeated Delays in Vadodara–Virar Packages Raise Accountability Questions
The three affected packages—Jujuwa–Gandeva (Package 8), Karvad–Jujuwa (Package 9), and Talsari–Karvad (Package 10)—are part of the Vadodara–Virar section in Gujarat. These contracts were awarded to RSIIL between March and July 2021. While most other sections of the expressway in Gujarat are nearing completion, work on these packages has barely advanced, with less than 20% completed even after nearly four years. NHAI had terminated contracts for two of the stretches in March 2023 due to poor progress and floated fresh tenders, but RSIIL again emerged as the lowest bidder and was re-awarded the projects in November 2023.
The continuing delays have prompted NHAI to consider issuing fresh notices to RSIIL, which could eventually lead to contract termination. RSIIL Director Navjeet Gadhoke has blamed the lack of land availability from NHAI for the slow progress, arguing that the contractor was not at fault. However, NHAI officials have countered these claims, citing RSIIL’s non-performance and unresolved contractual disputes as the primary reasons for the delay.
Re-Awarding of Contracts Sparks Debate Between MoRTH, NHAI and Contractor
A MoRTH official reportedly questioned why RSIIL was allowed to secure the contracts again after earlier termination, but a senior NHAI official said the authority could not legally bar the firm from bidding. RSIIL, meanwhile, has termed the earlier termination “illegal,” claiming that NHAI had no option but to re-award the contracts after rebidding, as there was no proven default on the contractor’s part.
Summary:
Three Gujarat stretches totalling 87 km have become a key bottleneck for the 1,386-km Delhi–Mumbai Expressway. Awarded to RSIIL, the packages show under 20% progress in four years. NHAI is considering termination amid disputes over land availability, contractor performance, and controversial re-awarding of contracts.
