The Centre has overhauled norms for National Highway projects in hilly regions, removing incentives for early completion and mandating stricter geological investigations and slope-monitoring measures.
The changes aim to address concerns over aggressive hill cutting and speed-driven construction, which have contributed to slope instability, erosion, and recurring disasters.
Under the revised norms, contractors will be required to limit initial work to formation cutting and slope profiling, with pavement works and permanent structures only allowed after slopes have remained stable through at least one monsoon season.
The ministry has also tightened requirements for geological investigations and slope monitoring, including the use of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)-based mapping and drone surveys.
The changes will be applicable to future National Highway and centrally sponsored road projects in hilly areas, with implementing agencies directed to incorporate the revised provisions into tender documents.
