4-Year Delay on 87-km Stretch Stalls Rs 1-Lakh-Crore Delhi-Mumbai Expressway

• An 87-km stretch in Gujarat, awarded to Roadway Solutions India Infra Ltd (RSIIL), has caused a 4-year delay for the Rs 1.04 lakh crore Delhi–Mumbai Expressway.
• RSIIL secured three packages in 2021; work on two was terminated in March 2023 due to slow progress but re-awarded to RSIIL in November 2023 as the lowest bidder.
• Less than 20% of the 87 km is complete after nearly four years, prompting the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' concern and NHAI's consideration of contract termination.
• RSIIL blames NHAI for "non-provision of land," while NHAI cites RSIIL's "non-performance and contractual disputes" for the delays.
• NHAI officials expressed frustration that they couldn't prevent RSIIL from winning the re-tender despite previous termination, due to bidding rules.

Why It Matters: Contractor delays and re-awarding issues plague a critical 87-km section, stalling the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.