**Subject:** Summary of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 849 Regarding Substandard Soil Nailing Procedures on NH 66
This document summarizes the response provided by the Minister of Road Transport and Highways to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 849, answered on July 24, 2025, concerning substandard soil nailing procedures on National Highway NH 66.
The Ministry acknowledged instances of substandard soil nailing procedures. The details provided in the annexure outline the following actions taken:
1. **Chengala-Neeleshwaram Section (Ch. 58.040 to Ch. 58.100):** Following a soil nailing collapse on June 16, 2025, a show cause notice was issued to the Concessionaire, Megha Engineering Infrastructure Ltd. (MEIL), and its promoter. The notice proposes debarment for up to one year, or until rectification work is completed, whichever is later. A penalty will also be levied, amounting to 5% of the current value of the failed work or 0.5% of the contract value of the entire work, whichever is greater. Furthermore, MEIL was temporarily suspended from participating in ongoing and future NHAI bids for one month or until they submit remedial measures demonstrating prevention of future failures.
2. **Azhiyur-Vengalam Stretch (km 191.820 to km 192.100 LHS, km 193.400 to km 193.540):** A show cause notice was issued to the Concessionaire, Azhiyur-Vengalam Road Pvt. Ltd., following soil nailing collapses. The notice proposes debarment for up to one year and a penalty ranging from Rs. 50 Lakh to Rs. 5 Crore. The Concessionaire has been directed to carry out rectification/remedial measures at their own cost. A Show Cause Notice was issued to the Independent Engineer (IE) for debarment up to one year and a penalty of Rs. 20 Lakh.
Regarding quality control, the Minister stated that the Contractor/Concessionaire is obligated to conduct adequate soil/slope testing and evaluate slope-cut protection measures as per Indian Road Congress (IRC) guidelines and standards, in accordance with the Contract/Concession agreement. The Independent Engineer/Authority Engineer and Project Director are responsible for random test checks of samples.
Key Entities Referenced
National Highway NH 66: A national highway in India where substandard soil nailing procedures were reported.
Adv Dean Kuriakose: Member of Lok Sabha who raised a question regarding substandard soil nailing procedures on NH 66.
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: The Indian government ministry responsible for road transport and highways.
Nitin Jairam Gadkari: The Minister of Road Transport and Highways.
National Highways Authority of India: The authority responsible for highways in India, including quality testing.
Kerala: A state in India where the quality of soil nailing is being evaluated due to heavy rainfall and waterlogging.
Indian Road Congress: An organization that sets guidelines and standards for road construction in India.
Megha Engineering Infrastructure Ltd.: A concessionaire facing action for substandard soil nailing procedures, specifically related to an incident between Ch. 58040 to Ch. 58.100 60m in Chengala-Neeleshwaram section of NH66.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 849
ANSWERED ON 24TH JULY, 2025
SUBSTANDARD SOIL NAILING PROCEDURES ON NH 66
849. ADV DEAN KURIAKOSE:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार् ग मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) whether it has come to the notice of the Government that the soil nailing
procedures have been carried out at a substandard level, especially on National
Highway (NH) 66 and if so, the details thereof
(b) whether any action has been taken against such firms and if so, the
details thereof; and
(c) whether adequate testing of the quality of the soil and evaluation of the
soil nailing process has been carried out by the National Highways Authority of
India for highways in Kerala, considering the heavy rainfall and waterlogging
conditions in the State and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) and (b) The details are annexed.
(c) The Contractor/Concessionaire is obligated to carry out adequate testing
of soil/slopes and evaluation of slope/cut protection measures as per the
guidelines and standards of Indian Road Congress (IRC) in accordance with
Contract/Concession agreement. Independent Engineer/Authority Engineer and
Project Director are responsible for random test check of samples.ANNEXURE
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) AND (b) OF LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 849 ANSWERED ON 24TH JULY, 2025 ASKED BY
ADV DEAN KURIAKOSE REGARDING ‘SUBSTANDARD SOIL NAILING
PROCEDURES ON NH 66’.
Details of Soil Nailing
Sl. Procedures that have been
Action Taken
No carried out at a
Substandard level
Show cause notice issued to Concessionaire
and its promoter M/s. Megha Engineering &
Infrastructure Ltd. for debarment upto 1
Incident of soil nailing year or completion of rectification work,
collapse occurred on whichever is later + penalty of 5% of Current
16.06.2025 between Ch. value of failed work or 0.5% of Contract
1
58+040 to Ch. 58.100 (60m) value of whole work whichever is more,
in Chengala-Neeleshwaram besides temporarily suspending them from
section of NH-66 participating in ongoing / future bids of NHAI
for one month or till they submit remedial
measures with proper studies / demonstrate
such failures do not repeat.
Show cause notice issued to Concessionaire
M/s. Azhiyur-Vengalam Road Pvt. Ltd. for
Soil nailing works collapsed debarment upto 1 year + penalty of Rs. 50
from km 191+820 to km Lakh to Rs. 5 Crore.
192+100 (LHS), km 193+400 Concessionaire has been directed to
2
to km 193+540 in the carryout rectification/remedial measures at
stretch of Azhiyur- their own cost.
Vengalam. Show Cause Notice issued to IE for
debarment upto 1 year & penalty of Rs. 20
Lakh.
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