**Executive Summary**
On April 27, 2026, Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari reviewed the progress and maintenance of 9,439 km of National Highway projects across Karnataka and Kerala. The review, prompted by media and social media feedback, focused on enforcing strict quality standards and timely project execution. Immediate action was mandated for monsoon preparedness, including the establishment of quick-response mechanisms and comprehensive drainage management to ensure commuter safety.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Project Scope and Oversight**
* Reviewed 7,926 km of National Highways in Karnataka.
* Reviewed 1,513 km across 61 National Highway projects in Kerala.
* The review involved Union Ministers of State, officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), and project contractors.
**Construction and Quality Standards**
* Mandatory adherence to strict quality standards and the acceleration of on-ground works.
* Emphasis on adopting advanced technologies and modern construction practices to enhance asset longevity and riding quality.
* Requirement to strengthen quality monitoring systems to ensure sustainable and efficient highway infrastructure.
**Monsoon Preparedness and Safety**
* Strict directions issued for full preparedness and advance planning ahead of the monsoon season.
* Implementation of preventive measures, including comprehensive drainage management and slope protection.
* Establishment of robust response systems and quick-response mechanisms to maintain uninterrupted traffic and road safety.
**Impact Analysis**
**Government Officials (NHAI and MoRTH)**
**Impact**
Officials are held accountable for heightened oversight and are under strict instructions to ensure the structural durability of the highway network.
**Action Required**
Undertake advance monsoon planning, strengthen quality monitoring systems, and establish quick-response mechanisms to minimize traffic disruptions.
**Project Contractors**
**Impact**
Contractors are required to align their operations with stricter quality protocols and accelerated timelines.
**Action Required**
Adopt modern construction technologies and ensure timely execution of works while adhering to the specified quality standards.
**Commuters and the General Public**
**Impact**
The public is expected to benefit from improved riding quality, seamless connectivity, and enhanced safety during adverse weather conditions.
**Action Required**
No specific action is required from this group, though the review was initiated based on their feedback via media and social media.
Key Entities Referenced
Shri Nitin Gadkari: Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways who reviewed the progress of National Highway projects and issued directives on quality and monsoon preparedness.
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: The primary central ministry responsible for overseeing the development, maintenance, and policy framework of India's national highway network.
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI): the nodal agency responsible for the management and technical quality of the National Highway projects reviewed in the meeting.
Karnataka and Kerala: The specific states where the 7,926 km and 1,513 km of National Highway projects under review are located.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari Reviews
Progress of National Highway Projects in
Karnataka and Kerala
Emphasises strict quality standards, timely execution and
monsoon preparedness
Posted On: 27 APR 2026 5:53PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari reviewed the quality and
maintenance progress of National Highway projects in Karnataka and Kerala, acting on feedback received
through media and social media.
The review meeting was held in New Delhi with Union Ministers of State Shri Harsh Malhotra and Shri
Ajay Tamta, along with officials from National Highways Authority of India, Ministry of Road Transport
and Highways, and project contractors.
During the meeting, Shri Nitin Gadkari reviewed the quality and maintenance progress of 7,926 km of
National Highways in Karnataka and 1,513 km across 61 National Highway projects in Kerala.
Shri Nitin Gadkari emphasised the importance of timely execution of works, adherence to strict quality
standards, and adoption of advanced technologies to ensure sustainable and efficient highway
infrastructure. He also stressed the need to accelerate on-ground works, strengthen quality monitoring
systems, and adopt modern construction practices to enhance asset longevity, improve riding quality, and
ensure seamless connectivity across key highway corridors.
The Union Minister issued strict directions to officials to ensure full preparedness ahead of the monsoon
season. He highlighted the importance of preventive measures and robust response systems to maintain
road safety, structural durability, and uninterrupted traffic movement across the highway network.
Shri Nitin Gadkari also instructed officials to undertake advance planning for the monsoon season,
including comprehensive drainage management, slope protection measures, and establishment of quick-
response mechanisms to minimise disruptions and ensure commuter safety.*****
GDH/DS/HJ
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