Union Minister for Highways and Surface Transport, Nitin Gadkari, informed the Rajya Sabha that a penalty of ₹3.2 crore has been imposed on the contractor for the delay in the National Highway (NH 748) project between Khanapur and the Goa border in Belgaum district.
Responding in writing during Question Hour, the minister stated that the 52 km double-lane highway work has been delayed due to the contractor.
So far, 72% of the work has been completed, and the remaining is expected to be finished by the end of March next year.
He added that 20.8 km of the stretch in the Khanapur area has been completed and toll collection is underway there. However, since the portion from Khanapur to the Karnataka border remains incomplete, toll is not being collected for that section.
