The five projects, comprising four and six laning of a total of 63 kms, would cost about Rs 200 crore. These are first among 19 projects to be awarded in the first phase. NHAI would be awarding the remaining 14 EPC contracts soon.

The projects include four-laning of Jallandhar bypass on national highway (NH) number one in Punjab, four-laning of Nagpur-Adilabad section of NH-7 in Maharashtra, six-laning of Hyderabad-Bangalore section of NH-7 (near Devanhalli) in Karnataka, four laning of Hathipalli-Hosur section of Nh-7 in Tamil Nadu and construction of four lane railway over bridge on Karur bypass on NH-7 in Tamil Nadu.

The work on these projects would be supervised by the respective state public works departments on behalf of NHAI with the assistance of consultants, appointed by the highwaysauthority. These consultants would be mainly responsible for maintaining quality of construction, an official release said on Tuesday.

Birla GTME, New Delhi has bagged the Jallandar bypass, Oriental Structural Engineer Ltd, New Delhi bagged the Maharashtra project, Bhageeratha Engineering Co, Kochi has got the Karnataka project and Patel Engineering Co, Mumbai, has got the Hathipalli-Hosur project.

The PT Sumber Mitra Jaya, Indonesian and Punj Lloyd Ltd joint venture has bagged the rail over bridge on Karur bypass. In all, 58 tenders were received for these packages.

The tender conditions for these packages provide for bonus for early completion and a penalty for delay. A dispute review expert would be appointed to sort out any dispute between the contractor and the employer.