Additional Augmented and Systematic Remedial Measures to Address Concerns regarding Construction of National Highways in Hilly Regions and Amendments to the RFP for DPR/EPC Document thereof

EFite No. RW/NH-33044/37i2025-S&R (P&B) (Computer No.-255492) Government of lndia Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (S&R (P&B/New Technology) Zone) Transport Bhawan, '1, Partiament Street, New Dethi 110001 November,2025 CIRCULAR To 1. The Chief Secretaries of atl the State Governments/ UTs. 2. The Principal Secretaries/ secretaries of att states/ UTs Pubtic works DePartment/ Road construction Department/ Highways Department (deating with National Highways and other centrat[y sponsored schemes). :. rni Chiirman, Nationat Highways Authority of lndia, G-5 & 6, Sector-10, Dwarka, New Dethi-110 075. 4. The Managing Director, NHIDCL, Wortd Trade Centre, New Dethi-1'10029' 5. The Director Genera[ (Border Roads), Seema Sadak Bhawan, Ring Road, New Dethi- 10 010. 1 6. Att Engineers-in.Chief and Chief Engineers of Pubtic Works Department of States/ UTsi ioad Construction Department/ Highways Departments (deating with National Highways and other centralty sponsored schemes). 7. The Secretary Generat, lndian Roads Congress. 8. The Director, IAHE, Noida, UP. 9. Att CE-ROs, ROs and ELOs of the Ministry. subject: Additionat Augmented and Systematic Remedial Measures to Address concerns regirding Construction of National Highways in Hitty Regions and Amendments to the RFP for DPR/EPC Document thereof- Reg. Ref: i) Efite No. RW/ NH-3304 415512071-S&R (P&B) pt. /Hitt Stope Monitoring (computer No.219394) dated 28. 1 1.2024 Madam/Sir, Ministryhasissued.ExpertcommitteeReportonCostEffectiveLong-term Remediat Measures for Landstide Prone Areas in Hitty Regions' cited under reference for to finatising investigations and mitigation measures safeguard communities and infrastru-cture against the devastating impact of tandslides in hi[[ roads. 2. There are increasing instances of landslides during construction and during the operations period which continue to disrupt the movement of traffic. The issues were detiberated and it was noted that in the current scenario construction practices in hitty terrain especiatty the Himatayan region require improvement at ptanning' project preparation and Lxecution stagls so that proper protection measures are designed and imjtemented white attowing iufficient time for the hitts to achieve time dependent ,iuUi5ty. The need was fEtt to take additional augmented and systemat'ic remedial measures on the basis of experienced gained over the years' issues encountered and feedback/suggestionsreceivedfromthestakehotderswhichcanbeintegratedwiththe existing practices seamtessty in the following areas: hd... raugtq Pageli8(a) lmprovement in quatity of Detaited Project Report through proper ptanning inctuding stope stabitisation measures, wherever requ'ired, atong the atignment, with avaitable data and [everaging technotogy, requisite investigations and vatidation of DPR parameters including making use of historical data as avaitabte on ontine resources devetoped by the National Remote Sensing Agency; (b) Adequate provisions of hitt stope protection measures in the scope of work; (c) Amendments in RFP for DPR and standard EPC contract agreement to incorporate special provisions related to hitl roads; (d) lmprovement in construction practices in hi[[y terrain; (e) Adequate time period of construction; and (f) Monitoring and early warning system for potentia[ landstides. ln v'iew of above, foltowing has been decided: 3. Practices to be adopted during DPR Preparation 3.'l Route/alignment SetectionAVidening Proposal: - Topography survey shoutd be carried out for a 300m wide strip, 150m each side of the center of the existing atignment or from center of the possibte atignment using LIDAR/Al-Camera fitted UAV Drones. The base p[an prepared using topographicat data should be superimposed with lndian Landstide Susceptibiiity map. Atso, the tandstide inventory of the past tandstides shoutd be coltected and siudied. Further, the stope movement mm/year shoutd be anatysed from the Digita[ Etevation Modetting (DEM) using INSAR or simitar satetlite imaginary and historical data as availabte on online resources developed by the National Remote sensing Agency. Considering vutnerabitity of the hitts and construction capabitity, the route/alignment setect.ion /widening proposal shoutd be finatised irrespective of whether it is on hitI side or vattey side. Atternative options such as tunnets, bridges and viaduct shou[d also be evatuated inctuding its seismic anatysis. The tension cracks in the crown area within the influence area/zone in a 300m wide strip shoutd also be identified, if any, and marked on the map. The provision of repair of the identified tension crack should be considered in the scope of work of civil contract. 3.2 Provision of Additionat Right of way (Row): - The requirements of land and access to the lands beyond Row are inevitabte during execution of protection works' Additional tand shoutd be icquired at cutverts/ structures locations to chanettise hitt s'ide stream for the construction of catch water drains (cwDs) for effective interception and disposat of hitt runoff which can lead to erosion, stope instabitity, and pavement deterioration. This prov'ision is essential to prevent uncontrotled surface runoff from entering the formation, to prevent surface runoff from directty reaching roadways, buitdings, or other critical if structures. Atso, to implement safety measures effectivety additiona[ land necessary should be acquired at the tocations where stope stabitization anchors (e'9., soit naits, rock bolts) extend beyond RoW. 3.3 ldentification of Dumpsite Areas for Muck disposat: - The disposal of surptus or unusabte excavated material and landstide debris is a major consideration in the design, construction and maintenance of hitt roads. For new roads, the preferred approach is to design the road so that the excavated materiat can be futty utitized in construction of emb-ankments and fitt stopes within a short distance of source locat'ion, but this is often lt not feasible and may be uneconomic. Safe disposat of muck is therefore required. is St.a' Page 2 / 8 Qr "li..r "ee*experienced that during construction, the excess/ unsuitabte cut to spoiI materiats are being dumped in unptanned manner, resulting into btockage of river/channel ftow path. The identification of disposal areas is carried out as part of the DPR. ln view of the importance of safe muck disposal, it is recommended that the required no. of dumpsites should be included in Schedute-B of the EPC agreement atong with its capacity based on [ikety generation of muck. 3.4 Sufficient Provisions of Protection Measures including drainage for Cut Slope and Valley Slope: Current DPRs tack adequate provisions for stope protection measures inctuding drainage, leading to change of scope (CoS) during execution and contributing to detays and disputes. The structured approach as detailed betow shoutd be fottowed: - i) Protection measures inctuding sub-surface & surface drainage provisions for cut slope and vattey stope should be designed on the basis of detailed geotechnica[ investigation bore holes at identified critica[ locations-such as deep cut/fi[[ sections, bridge abutments, soft ground zones, landstide-prone areas, or zones with abrupt changes in soil conditions carried out at an interval of 500m or ctoser as specified in appticabte design standard atong the project alignment to determine subsurface soiI stratification and engineering properties of stope forming materials. This wit[ facititate accurate characterization of soil types and support the design of appropriate protection measures. ln case of deep cut sections having height more than 5.0m, the depth of bore hote shoutd be minimum to the depth of cutting above finished road [eve[ or 5.0m betow competent stratum whichever is achieved eartier. For remaining locations, the provision of appticabte standard prevails. ii) Large Shear Box testing shoutd be performed on representative butk samptes, particutarty for coarse-grained soits such as gravels or boutdery strata, where conventional shear box test is not appropriate. iii) The DPR shoutd be based on geotogicat and geotechnical investigations. Geotechnical investigation shatt be conducted just after recession of monsoon to represent the weakest sub-soiI condition. iv) As digitat evidence, DPR Consuttant should use software app[ications to authenticate lf with digitat/photos/videos evidence that survey has been carried out. required, PlUs/ HQs witt atso check reat time using ctoud ptatform' v) DpRs shatt inctude comprehensive technica[ reports including geotechnical basis report (GBR) and designs for stope protection measures for the project length' vi) DPR shoutd incIude detaited working drawings, its specifications and associated quantities of work items for slope protection requirements for each km of road section based on above investigations carried out by the Consultants. vii) The design atong with considered design parameters duly based on investigations and working drawings, its specifications and associated quantities of work items for slope stabitisation requirements shatt be vetted and vatidated by renowned and reputed Government/academic institutions having expertise in the area. These drawings and investigations shatt be part of the bidding documents and inctuded in the scope of work. No patented product/ readymade sotution shatl be proposed by the DPR consuttant without detaited investigation and justification ' viii) ln schedute-B under the clause of Protection Measures foltowing shatl be firmed up by the Design consuttant duty vetted by Third Party as specified in sub-para 3.4 v'ii). ra.l 5\-a Page 3 / 8 Blcl.r*(a) Sub-soit Properties (Density, c-phi) & Stratification for each bore hole location [vatue to be filted bv DPR Consultant]. (b) Water Level at each bore hole location- [value to be filted bv DPR Consultant]. (c) R, Pore Water Coefficient considered for analysis [vatue to be fitted bv DPR Consultant, maximum of the minimum value specified in IRC:75 and the vatue obtained on the basis of investigationl. (d) Rock Properties (Core Recovery, Rock Quality Designation RQD, Geological Soit lndex GSI and Rock Mass Rating Rr\AR) for each bore hole location- [va[ue to be fitted bv DPR Consuttantl. (e) Minimum Length of Rock Fall Barrier, if applicable- [ value to be fitted bv DPR to Consultant subject minimum 3 fietds each of [ength 8.0m'in each section]. Any change in design parameters/ upgradation of protection measures subsequent[y proposed by Contractor as change of scope (CoS) shatt atso be vetted by the same third party like THDCL, GSI and NIRM or any other reputed agency in this fietd. 3.5 - Safeguard Communities abutting Right of Way: DPR Consuttant shoutd geo- tagged & mapped atong with its physical dimensions' tength & width and photographic condition evidence along with date & time stamped for each and every structures / buitding (commerciat/ non-commerciat), private land, land use, access roads, revenue & forest land within 100m each side of the edge of the proposed right of way (PRoW). DPR Consuttant shatt identify secondary intersecting/ access roads/cross roads, design improvement thereof and incorporate atl the required quantity and associated cost. 3.6 Stakeholders Consultation: - Forest Departments and State Governments should be consutted for works which are necessitated beyond RoW in forest lands for protect'ion of forest and for protection of hitt stopes inctuding RoW such as construction of catch water drains (essentiatty beyond NH RoW on hitI sides), side drains with catch pits, cut off drains, cross drainages with provisions of stone pitching, etc without forest ctearance etc. The nearby residents shoutd be regutarly informed at atl stages of the project devetopment and advance warning may be issued through [oca[ administration/ SDRF for any tikety cot[apse/ tands[ides. 3.7 Preparation of Schedule-H: - Schedu[e-H shou[d be prepared considering construction period in hitty terrain. ln initial period, Contractor shatt do onty the formation cutting and protection measures thereof in part length. The subsequent works sha[[ start for those sections onty where the formation cutting and protection measures remain stabte. Accordingty the payment schedu[e of Schedute-H shatI be prepared duty considering the required cash ftow of the Contractor. ROs and PDs of PlUs shatt ensure necessary facititation and overatt co-ordination for this purpose. 4. Modification in EPC Contract Document 4.1 Development Period: EPC Contractor sha[[ submit the updated inventory and condition map of each and every structures/ buitding(commerciat/ non-commercia[), private [and, land use, access roads, revenue & forest tand within '100m each side of the edge of the proposed right of way (PRoW) as detaited in Para 3.5. Atso, video evidence with date & time stamped should be submitted. 4.2 Construction Period: The time duration shatl be calcutated keeping in view project requirement and monsoon period in hitl roads. Accordingty necessary changes in /8 Bi.Iuv't"o\t Jl.q Page 4ModeI contract document shou[d be incorporated without any favourabte financiaI advantage to the contractors for tonger period such as deletion of bonus ctause, etc. 4.3 Dumping Sites: - The contractor sha[[ arrange dumping sites, if any, for stacking/ disposat of excavated materiat/debris. Un-controtted or inappropriate muck disposal can give rise to a variety of probtems. 4.4 Change of Scope 4.4.1 The design principtes and specifications should be adequatety captured in DPRs based on necessary geological/ geotechnical investigations; any variations in quantities/ design principtes & specifications during implementation substantiated by comprehensive investigations by contractors/ concessionaires shatt quatify for change of scopes. Atso, site conditions are substantially changed between time period of site survey/DPR preparation and actua[ execution on site. ln most cases, extent of [andstide is increased teading to contractuaI comptications. ln few cases, it is atso observed that stopes are naturaUy stabitized, not requiring any treatment. Negative change of scope sha[[ be considered for such cases. 4.4.2 Contractor shoutd submit Geotechnical Report after detaited investigation a(ong with design to AEllE & Authority. The report shoutd ctearty mention the appreciable deviation from the GBR, parameters specified in subpara 3.4 viii) (a) to (e) and variation in site conditions with photographic evidences which necessitate variation in extent and upgradation of protection measures. Any change in design subsequentty proposed by Contractor as Change of Scope (CoS) shoutd atso be vetted by the same institution as detailed in sub-para 3.4 viii) which origina[[y vetted the DPR drawings in respect of above parameters. 4.4.3 The tength, and height of protection works, drainage system, shotcrete, concrete ctadding/ Retaining structures, breast watl and other items specified in schedute 'B' or 'C' shatl be treated as minimum requirements. The actual quantities as required on the basis of detaited investigations shatl be determined by the Contractor in consuttation with Authority and its Engineer and in accordance with the Specifications and Standards. Any increase in tength up to 10% for the items measured in linear meter or area up to 10 % for the items measured in square meter of landstide location mentioned in the Schedu[e -8/C shall not constitute a Change of Scope, save and except any variations in the quantities arising out of a Change of Scope expressty undertaken in accordance with the provisions of Articte 13 of the EPC Contract Agreement. 5. Good Construction Practices 5.1 Design for slope stablisation measures: Where the DPR has examined and provided for stope stablisation measures, the same shall be described in detait in Schedute B. ln case the Contractor or Concessionaire proposes to deviate from the specified stope stabilisation measures, he sha[[ indicate the alternative proposed along with detaited design and supporting data and investigations. The Authority sha[[ have the design with supporting data and investigations vetted from a specified Government agency having expertise in stope stabilisation measures. However, where the DPR has not provided for stope stabi[isation measures, the Contractor or Concessionaire shalt suggest slope stabitisation measures atong with detaited design and supporting data and investigations. ln such cases too, the Authority shatt have the design with supporting data and investigations vetted from a specified Government agency having expertise in stope stabilisation measures. BrAs" \FoJ Xh( Page 5 / 85.2 Construction in Stages: - Construction should be done in stages. The initial period of about one year should be given for the cutting of hill slopes for the road and completion of protection works for stabilization of the slopes. The subsequent works sha[[ be taken up for those sections only where the formation cutting and protection measures remain stable after one monsoon season. Consequential changes required in various schedules and contract agreement shoutd atso be made to avoid any confusion. 5.3 Cutting of Slope: - To ensure slope stabitity and minimize environmentat impact, hitt cutting should be carried out in stepped or benched sections rather than through complete or vertical cuts. Cutting shoutd start from top to bottom. This method reduces the risk of landslides, improves drainage management, and facititates safer construction practices. Additionatty, protective works shatl also be planned & implemented atongside with the excavation process. 5.4 Deposition of Unusable Materiats: lt shoutd be deposited at designated dumping yard onty to minimise valtey side damage/ btock path of channets/ rivers. 6. Post Construction Maintenance EPC Contractor has the obtigations to maintain the project highway during Defects Liabitity Period (DLP). Fifty percent of the [ast milestone payment as specified in the contract document should be paid during each year of the DLP (equatty distributed in each year of DLP) after producing certificate for satisfactory compliance to the maintenance obligations. Also, in the Contract Document EPC contractor shoutd submit the unit rate of days works of different items required for the anticipated emergency works. Whenever there is a damage caused due to tandstides or other disaster outside RoW for which EPC Contractor shoutd have to deploy machinery and other emergency works as asked by the .Authority, shoutd be claimed as per day works and paid separatety. 7. Att project reports prepared through Consultants inctuding under PMC contracts shatI ensure needfuI comp[iance with above stiputations. 8. ROs and PDs of PlUs shatl also ensure that Project Reports are in compliance with these provisions. 9. This circutar shatl be made appticable for att DPR consultancy works for hitl projects which are issued on or after 30 days after the date of issue of this circutar. 10. This circular shatl be made appticable for widening or new construction projects in hitty terrain especialty in the Himatayan region for which bids are issued on or after 60 days after the date of issue of this circutar. 11. lt is requested that the contents of the circutar may be brought into the notice of att concerned for needfuI comptiance. 12. A[[ the concerned executing agencies of the MoRT&H are requested to modify the RFP for DPR /standard EPC document accordingty. (Appendix-l) 13. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority. Yours sincerety, Bid.,, ..q il gf,-Q ta.\\.Lo A--- (Bidur Kant Jha) Director Page6/8(New Technology for Highway devetopment) For DG (RD) e SS Copy to: 1. Att CEs in the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways 2. Att ROs of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways 3. Att CE(NH) of PWD/R&B deating with National Highways 4. Technica[ circular fite of 5&R (P&B) Section 5. NIC-for uploading on Ministry's website under "What's new" & "Comprehensive Compendium Circutars with CODE 305.14. Copy for kind information to: 1. PS to Hon'ble Minister (RT&H) 2. ,PS to Hon'ble MOS (RT&H) 3. Sr. PPS to Secretary (RT&H) 4. Sr. PPS to DG (RD) & SS 5. Sr. PPS/ PPS to Addt. Secretary (Road Safety)/ Add[. Secretary (RT&H & LA) 6. Sr. PPS/ PPS to AS&FA 7. Sr. PPS/ PPS to att ADG (KB)/ ADG(SC)/ ADG(RS) 8. 5r. PPS/ PPS to JS (RT&MVL)/ JS (ElC) / JS (Logistics)/ JS (NHIDCL) Appendix-! Necessarv modifications in RFP for DPR Sr. Reference of the Circular ldentified Ctauses/Sections of RFP for DPR need No. modifications Para3.1 4.11 .1. Reconnaissance and Atignment; 1 4.1 1 .2.(4) Topographic Surveys; 10.3 Atignment options report; 10.9 Draft Detaited Project Report (DPR) 2 Para 3.5 4.11.2.2 Detaits of utitity Services and Other PhvsicaI Features 3 Para 3.4 4.11.4.4 Geo-technical lnvestigations and Sub-Soit Exptoration; 10.9 Draft Detaited Project Report (DPR); 10.1'l Bid documents and Technical Schedules 4 Para 3.2 3.1 RoW and Land retated aspects; 10.6 Land Acquisition Report 5 Para 3.6 4.1 Primary Tasks(ii, a); 11. lnteraction with <Aqencv, 6 Para 3.3 10.9 Draft Detaited Project Report (DPR) 7 Para 3.7 10.11 Bid documents and Technical Schedules 8 Para 4.2 10.11 Bid documents and Technical Schedutes 9 Para 3.3 10.1 1 Bid documents and Technical Schedutes (\q- 8.d", laut page 7 I BSr. Reference of the Circutar ldentified Ctauses/Sections of RFP for DPR need No. modifications 10 Para 5. 1, 5.2, 5.3 10.11 Bid documents and Technical Schedutes 11 The remaining provisions of the May be added to circutar not covered etsewhere SUPPLEMENT-I ADDITIONAL POINTS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR HILL ROADS IN ADDITION TO POINTS COVERED IN MAIN TOR Necessarv moCifications in Standard EP.C Document Sr. Reference of the Circutar ldentified Ctauses/Sections of Standard EPC No. Document need modifications as per DPR 1 Last sentence of Para 3.1 of the Annex-|, Schedute B, 12 (Speciat Requirements circutar for Hitt Roads) 2 Para 3.2 Annex-1, Schedule B, 2 (iv) Right of Way 3 Para 3.4 Annex-|, Schedute B, 4 Road Embankment and Cut section 4 Para 3.5 Schedute-A Site of the Project 5 Para 3.7 Schedute-H Contract Price Weightages 6 Para 4.1 Article 8, 8.2 Procurement of the Site 7 Para 4.2 Schedute-H, Ctause 19.70 (Bonus for earty completion) to be deteted 8 Para 4.3 Annex-1, Schedule B, 12 Specia[ Requirements for Hitt Roads 9 Para 4.4 Articte 13, 13.1 & 13.2; Change of Scope Annex-1, Schedute B, 13 10 Para 5.1 , 5.2 Annex-1, Schedute B, 12 Specia[ Requirements for Hitt Roads 11 Para 5.3 Annex-|, Schedute B, 12 Speciat requirements for Hitt Roads 1Z Para 6 Articte 14; Maintenance Articte 17; Defect Liabitity Period Articte 19.16 Payment 13 The remaining provisions of the Annex-1, Schedute B, 12 Speciat requirements circular not covered elsewhere for Hitt Roads PageS/8