NHIDCL, under the road transport ministry, has abruptly withdrawn a contract awarded to a joint venture (JV) comprising railway PSU RITES and Turkish firms to supervise the construction of a 2.5-kilometre twin-tube Aizawl Bypass tunnel on NH‑6. The cancellation, formally issued last week, results from the JV’s failure to obtain national security clearance from the home ministry—an essential requirement, officials say.
Timed just days after India’s cross-border Operation Sindoor, the move underscores how geopolitical alignments—namely Turkey’s perceived support for Pakistan—are influencing national infrastructure decisions. Road ministry documents confirm that on May 28, NHIDCL instructed the joint venture to present security clearance. Despite multiple reminders, no documentation arrived, prompting contract termination “with immediate effect” due to the project’s strategic sensitivity . The project, contracted on April 29, included authority engineering services for a critical Himalayan tunnel designed to bypass flood-prone and landslide-vulnerable sections in Mizoram. Officials indicate that remote, border-adjacent infrastructure demands tight security vetting—a requirement the JV failed to meet.
In a related development on May 15, India revoked the security clearance of Turkey-based Celebi Airport Services following Ankara’s perceived backing of Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. Celebi operated in nine major airports, including Mumbai and Delhi. The Mizoram action extends that scrutiny into road and tunnel supervision, signalling a broader geopolitical shift in India’s approach to foreign partnerships. Infrastructure experts caution that the clearance failure may delay tunnel completion. “This reflects gaps in project governance where compliance is treated as a late-stage formality rather than a fundamental prerequisite,” notes a former highway engineer. The project now requires re-tendering or replacement by a vetted consultancy, potentially delaying timelines by six to twelve months.
RITES, a trusted railway consultancy, led the JV, while Turkish partners delivered advanced design capabilities. Combined expertise had promised timely execution and technical robustness. However, without security vetting, authorities deemed the partnership unviable . Reacting to the cancellation, NHIDCL spokesperson emphasised the core directive: “National security clearance is non-negotiable. Strategic projects demand fully cleared stakeholders.” This follows similar revocations in the aviation sector and reflects a new national security alignment in infrastructure procurement. Policy analysts observe that India’s security vetting protocols are evolving. With geopolitical tensions heightening—exemplified by drone supply networks and defence linkages—the government is revising protocols across critical projects . Undertakings near international borders or within layered defence zones are undergoing heightened scrutiny.
The Turkish side has not publicly responded to the contract cancellation. Officials from RITES suggest they are reviewing options including domestic JV reconstitution or fresh tenders with Indian-certified consultants. The tunnel, vital for bypassing monsoon-linked landslides and improving connectivity in northeast India, risks delays affecting local trade, emergency services and regional development. Legal experts suggest that failure to obtain mandatory clearance could expose the JV to anti-corruption scrutiny or administrative penalties. Politically, the cancellation resonates in Mizoram, where public sentiment supports cautious, locally informed development.
Despite setbacks, the Mizoram tunnel remains a strategic priority. NHIDCL has reportedly started identifying alternative Indian firms with valid clearances and engineering credentials to ensure timely execution. The government is keen to align infrastructure delivery with its zero‑carbon and equitable corridors programme—synchronising local job growth with climate-sensitive planning. As India revises its approach to foreign partnerships in infrastructure, this incident underscores the need for early security vetting, transparent governance, and agile execution—especially in projects with geopolitical implications. It signals a new era of cautious collaboration, blending economic ambition with national interest.
Also Read : Kolkata Braces for Heavy Monsoon Showers
