Himachal PMGSY contractors blacklisting likely after 138 fail quality review
Shimla, March 18,
A large number of contractors engaged in rural road construction in Himachal Pradesh are staring at possible blacklisting after a centralised quality review reportedly found serious deficiencies in works executed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
Official inputs indicate that out of 182 contractors assessed for works taken up in the first three phases of PMGSY in the state, only 44 cleared the quality and execution benchmarks. The remaining 138 were flagged for issues ranging from substandard construction and delays to failure in meeting prescribed technical norms.
The evaluation has been carried out through a Government of India portal that records contractor-wise performance, inspection findings and deficiency reports. Based on these records, poorly rated contractors may face restrictions in future allotments and could also be pushed towards blacklisting, a step that may significantly reduce their chances of getting work in PMGSY Phase-IV.
The development comes at a time when Himachal Pradesh is preparing for a major new round of rural road works. Under PMGSY-IV, the Centre has approved nearly Rs 2,300 crore for the construction of around 1,500 km of rural roads in the state, making contractor scrutiny crucial for the next phase.
Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh has already signalled a stricter approach for upcoming allocations. Stressing that quality control would remain central, he has said no contractor would be given more than seven projects and that the total value of work assigned to a single contractor would not exceed Rs 100 crore. The idea, according to the government, is to prevent over-concentration of contracts and improve execution standards on the ground.
The minister has also indicated that only those contractors who have completed more than 70 per cent of their previous assignments in a satisfactory manner would be considered for fresh work.
Sources said inspections in earlier PMGSY phases had revealed recurring problems in a number of packages. These included poor workmanship, incomplete execution within timelines and technical defects that affected the overall quality of rural road infrastructure. Repeated adverse findings appear to have played a key role in dragging down the ratings of many contractors.
The state Public Works Department has already started the tendering process for PMGSY-IV and bids are being invited. But the final distribution of work is expected to depend heavily on past performance records reviewed by the Union Ministry, indicating a tighter filter before contracts are awarded.
The issue carries added weight in Himachal Pradesh because last year’s monsoon disaster had caused extensive damage to roads, bridges, retaining walls and other infrastructure across the state. The destruction had also triggered wider questions over the quality, durability and supervision of public works, including PMGSY roads and major highway stretches.
At the same time, the state government has been dealing with pressure over delayed contractor payments. It had recently decided to release Rs 500 crore through the treasury system to clear pending bills, a move that reflected both the financial stress and the scale of outstanding liabilities.
With PMGSY-IV now moving into the execution stage, the latest review may shape not just who gets contracts, but also how strictly quality, accountability and past performance are enforced in one of Himachal’s most important rural connectivity programmes.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
