Night-Time Asphalt: NH-707 Project Faces NGT Heat
Private contractors working on National Highway 707 are facing intense scrutiny following allegations of substandard construction practices. A video circulating online purportedly shows bitumen being laid at night during rainfall, a clear violation of established norms.
Experts have raised serious concerns about the potential for significant structural damage to the highway due to this shoddy workmanship. Laying bitumen on wet surfaces drastically reduces its lifespan and compromises the road’s integrity.
The project is already under the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) scanner for alleged environmental violations and the use of sub-standard materials. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has issued a non-conformance report, further escalating the crisis.
This incident highlights a larger problem of quality control and oversight in major infrastructure projects. The NGT’s intervention is crucial to ensure accountability and prevent the wastage of public funds on poorly executed work. The long-term impact on commuters’ safety and the overall durability of NH-707 remains a serious concern. The MoRTH must ensure stringent monitoring to prevent similar incidents in the future.
