The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has officially cancelled a key tunnel project in Mizoram, which had been awarded to a joint venture (JV) between Indian railway PSU RITES and a Turkish engineering firm. The cancellation was due to the JV’s failure to obtain mandatory national security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Tunnel Project Details
The cancelled contract involved construction supervision services for a 2.5 km twin-tube tunnel with connecting roads on National Highway 6 (NH-6), forming part of the Aizawl Bypass project in Mizoram. The contract, signed on April 29, 2025, was awarded to the JV of RITES and Tumas Turkish Engineering Consulting, along with Avok Engineering Consulting and Contracting.
Reason Behind Termination
Following India’s Operation Sindoor, which was aimed at countering cross-border threats, the road transport ministry directed NHIDCL to ask the JV for national security clearance. On May 28, NHIDCL issued a formal request for this documentation. Despite repeated reminders, the JV did not submit the required clearance.
Due to the strategic importance of the tunnel project, NHIDCL, in its official statement, said that the contract had to be terminated with immediate effect for national security reasons.
Background: Rising Tensions with Turkey
This development comes amid India’s growing concerns over Turkey’s diplomatic support for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. The Indian government had earlier revoked the security clearance of Celebi Airport Services India and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India, both subsidiaries of a Turkey-based aviation company.
As a result, major Indian airports — including those in Delhi, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad — ended their contracts with Celebi, citing security and strategic concerns.
Government’s Stand on Strategic Projects
This cancellation highlights the Indian government’s strict approach toward infrastructure projects in sensitive areas, especially those involving foreign entities. Officials have made it clear that national security clearance is now a non-negotiable requirement for all foreign-linked contracts involving critical infrastructure.
