India's Transport Ministry dismisses 11 officials over highway failures

India’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, led by Minister Nitin Gadkari, has terminated 11 senior officials after a review linked them to a series of structural failures on newly opened national highways. The assessment covered 19 incidents recorded between 2025 and 2026, including bridge collapses, sinkholes and road subsidence across states such as Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Meghalaya.

In addition to the dismissals, another 11 staff members faced disciplinary action for negligence or incomplete duties. Contractors, franchisees and technical consultants involved in the projects have also been penalised with contract terminations, fines, suspensions or black‑listing. The ministry said the measures target both government oversight and private‑sector execution to ensure accountability, though it has not disclosed the exact financial losses or recovery amounts.

The actions aim to tighten quality control, improve design and material standards, and address drainage and maintenance shortcomings that contributed to the failures.