The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL), operating under the Ministry of Road Transport, has cancelled a major contract for a tunnel project in Mizoram. The contract was awarded to a joint venture (JV) between Indian railway PSU RITES and Turkey’s Tumas Turkish Engineering Consulting, along with Avok Engineering Consulting and Contracting. The cancellation was due to the JV’s failure to secure national security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Contract Cancelled After Security Concerns
The cancelled contract involved construction supervision for a 2.5 km twin-tube Aizawl Bypass Tunnel on NH-6, including approach roads. The contract was officially signed on April 29, 2025, just days before India’s Operation Sindoor.
On May 28, NHIDCL directed the JV to obtain security clearance from the home ministry. Despite multiple reminders, the JV did not meet this critical requirement. Due to the strategic sensitivity of the project, NHIDCL officially terminated the contract with immediate effect.
Impact of Operation Sindoor and Turkey’s Stance
The cancellation comes after rising tensions related to Turkey’s support for Pakistan during India’s Operation Sindoor. Following these developments, India also revoked security clearances for Turkey-based companies like Celebi Airport Services India and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India. As a result, major airports in Mumbai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad have ended their contracts with Turkish aviation ground-handling company Celebi.
Government’s Firm Stance on National Security
The government has taken a strong position to protect national security interests, especially in projects located in strategically sensitive areas like Mizoram. Authorities have emphasized that any foreign involvement in such critical infrastructure must first meet strict security requirements.
