An incident of distressed condition of Pavement Crust at some locations of 6–lane Sanchore– Santalpur Section of Amritsar – Jamnagar Economic Corridor (NH–754K) in Gujarat (Pkg-4 from Kilana to Santalpur) constructed by M/s CDS Infra Projects Limited (Contractor) was reported.

Total Length of Amritsar – Jamnagar Economic Corridor in Gujarat is 130 km (6-lane) and length of distressed pavement crust is in 1.35 km (3-lane) on LHS in 10 patches and 1.36 km (3-lane) on RHS in 05 patches.

The instant failure of pavement crust has been caused due to defects in Aggregate Inter Layer (AIL), Cement Treated Base (CTB) and poor drainage. The project is on Engineering Procurement & Construction (EPC) Mode and Completion Certificate is yet to be issued to the Contractor. Contractor will rectify the defects at his own risk & cost.

M/s CDS Infra Projects Limited has been debarred on immediate basis from participating in ongoing/ future bids for failure of the pavement crust. Show Cause Notice for debarment and levy of monetary penalty of Rs.2.8 Cr. has also been issued.

Authority’s Engineer (M/s SA Infra in association with M/s Upham) has also been debarred on immediate basis from participating in ongoing/ future bids and Show Cause Notice for debarment has been issued. NHAI Project Director, Palanpur has been placed on suspension.

Expert Committees with Retd. and current Prof. of IIT-BHU, IIT-Delhi, IIT- Gandhinagar have been constituted for analysing the failure of Pavement Crust. Expert Committees are visiting the site, collecting samples to undertake tests and recommend detailed remedial measures to be taken. Contractor has already started the rectification work.

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SR/GDH/SJ

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