January 16, 2026: The Delhi High Court has permitted the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to proceed with terminating the contract of Pune-based Roadways Solutions India Infra Ltd (RSIIL) for delays in constructing a 35-km stretch of the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, underscoring the public interest involved in the timely completion of key infrastructure projects.
A bench comprising Justices Dinesh Mehta and Vinod Kumar held that prolonged delays could not be allowed to affect commuters. “We feel the balance of convenience entirely lies in the favour of the nation and citizens of India and in turn NHAI and not in favour of the contractor. Because the citizenry cannot be deprived of a well-constructed highway to ensure smooth and free movement,” the court observed. The bench also allowed NHAI to engage another agency to complete the pending work, rejecting RSIIL’s argument that awarding a fresh contract would take at least three months and that the firm could demonstrate sufficient progress if given more time.
NHAI had issued a “notice of intent to terminate” the contract on December 23, citing slow progress. RSIIL challenged the notice before a single-judge bench, which stayed the termination, prompting NHAI to move the high court in appeal. While allowing NHAI to move ahead with termination-related steps, the court restrained the authority from encashing insurance surety bonds and bank guarantees submitted by the contractor until the contractor’s application is decided by the single judge.
Clarifying the scope of its order, the court said, “NHAI shall, however, be free to pass appropriate order pursuant to the notice of intent to terminate the contract dated Dec 23, 2025 and if deemed expedient, to issue fresh NIT (read tender) in relation to package no-VIII and engage any other agency/ entity to complete construction of road covered by package no-VIII of Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.”
RSIIL has secured contracts for three stretches totalling 87 km in the Gujarat section of the ₹1 lakh crore expressway project, where progress has remained slow, according to NHAI. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that delays had forced commuters to take detours on the newly built expressway. Sources indicated that NHAI may soon issue cure period notices for two additional stretches being executed by the firm, seeking rectification within 60 days before initiating termination proceedings.
Source: The Times of India
