NHAI Debars Contractor, Consultant Over Pavement Failure on Gujarat's Amritsar-Jamnagar Corridor

An incident of pavement crust failure has been reported on the 6-lane Sanchore–Santalpur section (Package-4) of the Amritsar–Jamnagar Economic Corridor (NH-754K) in Gujarat, constructed by M/s CDS Infra Projects Limited. The affected stretch lies between Kilana and Santalpur.

Out of the 130 km corridor in Gujarat, distress has been observed in approximately 2.71 km—1.35 km across 10 patches on the left-hand side (LHS) and 1.36 km across 5 patches on the right-hand side (RHS).

The pavement failure has been attributed to defects in the Aggregate Inter Layer (AIL), Cement Treated Base (CTB), and poor drainage. As the project is under the EPC mode and the Completion Certificate is yet to be issued, the contractor will be required to rectify the defects at their own risk and cost.

Following the incident, CDS Infra Projects Ltd. has been debarred with immediate effect from participating in current and future bids. A Show Cause Notice has also been issued for debarment along with a proposed monetary penalty of ₹2.8 crore.

The Authority’s Engineer, M/s SA Infra in association with M/s Upham, has also been debarred from ongoing and future bids, with a Show Cause Notice issued. Additionally, the NHAI Project Director, Palanpur, has been suspended.