The government plans penalties for contractors when construction defects cause fatal accidents
While the move strengthens accountability, it acts only after a tragedy occurs
India recorded over 183,000 road fatalities in 2025. Poor road design adds to the risks posed by rash driving and traffic rule violations
A penalty-driven approach is not enough. Rigorous project appraisal and optimal engineering design must prevent dangerous road defects before construction begins
Road projects already have quality checks, milestone-linked payments and defect-liability periods
Persistent deficiencies raise questions about the effectiveness of these safeguards
Third-party engineers certify road quality before payments are released. Fatal defects highlight the need to strengthen inspection standards and monitoring of construction quality
India’s expanding road network demands stronger oversight of engineering and construction
Preventing avoidable deaths must take precedence over compensating for failures after accidents