NEW DELHI: Concerned over numerous complaints about poor quality highways in recent months, particularly during and after monsoon, PM Narendra Modi has set a May deadline for the road transport ministry to prioritise quality improvement and develop robust SOPs to ensure accountability and consistency. TOI has learnt that while recently reviewing progress in the highway sector, Modi also asked the ministry to crack down on poorly performing and litigating contractors, a move aimed at sending a strong message to errant builders. This comes amid poor construction by contractors, along with inadequate supervision by consultants and govt engineers, contributing to decline in quality of projects. In a series of instructions, the PM asked the ministry to devise a mechanism to ensure that blacklisted contractors are barred from participating in fresh bids, even indirectly. Also, contractors with a record of frequently invoking arbitrations would get lower ratings. Taking note of the possibility of collusion between contractors and farmers, the ministry has been asked to conduct a detailed study of this pattern, of delays in land acquisitions, and take necessary corrective measures. The PM has also instructed the ministry to study constraints preventing high-speed corridors from operating at the desired speed of 70 kmph. Norms are being revised to mandate prior approval from authorities before involving any subcontractors in new projects. The ministry has also been asked to stop the practice of converting state highways into national highways. The move is significant given that the current govt has expanded the NH network from about 91,300 km to 1.46 lakh km , a 60% increase.