All types of steel to be used for highway construction due to rising steel prices

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued orders that all types of steel will be allowed for the construction of highways in the country.

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The steel proposed to be used would be tested in NABL-accredited laboratories as a third party check before approval.

Earlier, the contract provisions required use of steel produced by primary/integrated steel producers only.

In view of the increase in steel prices, which can impact the cost of building national highways, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways had suggested the need to re-look at all conditions which could be restrictive.

With this step, the supplier base for steel used in the construction of national highways would increase, leading to more competition and better price discovery by the markets.

This is also part of the continuous effort by the Minister to reduce costs through use of new technology, reducing restrictions on suppliers and making the procurement system transparent.