The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has acknowledged that design flaws, insufficient quality control, and an excessive reliance on highway builders are contributing factors to the collapse of newly constructed concrete highway stretches in areas prone to rain and low-lying regions. This admission comes in light of a recent report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament, which raises serious concerns about the quality and durability of these vital infrastructure projects.

The PAC report highlights a worrying trend of "indiscriminate shift" from bituminous to concrete roads without proper assessment. The committee suggests this shift has resulted in substandard outcomes, project delays, and a potential waste of public funds. The report emphasizes the need for a more rigorous and evidence-based approach to selecting pavement materials, advocating for mandatory site-specific technical and environmental assessments to be integrated into the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs).

Specific instances of highway damage, such as those observed on a section of the Delhi-Vadodara Expressway, were cited in the report. These roads, designed for long-term service with minimal maintenance, have instead exhibited premature cracks, surface distress, and failures in pavement quality concrete (PQC) often within a short period after completion.

The parliamentary panel has also pointed out issues such as weak oversight and rampant subcontracting as contributing to the concrete highway failures. The committee is urging the Ministry and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to adopt a mandatory, evidence-based framework for selecting pavement materials. This framework should consider bituminous, concrete, or other suitable materials based on thorough site-specific technical and environmental evaluations. Integrating these assessments into the DPRs is crucial for ensuring the longevity and quality of highway projects.

This situation echoes similar concerns raised in the past regarding infrastructure failures. For example, the 2005 levee failures in Greater New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina were attributed to inadequate design and construction by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. These failures led to widespread flooding and devastating consequences, highlighting the critical importance of sound engineering and rigorous oversight in infrastructure projects.

To prevent future collapses and ensure the longevity of concrete highway stretches, the government is expected to implement stricter quality control measures, enhance oversight of construction processes, and promote a more sustainable approach to highway development. This includes thorough assessment of site-specific conditions, appropriate material selection, and robust monitoring throughout the project lifecycle.