Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Project: UNUC Legal LLP Represents NHSRCL In CAM Dispute; Dispute Board Rejects L&T's Claims
UNUC Legal LLP represented the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) in Dispute No. 3 arising from the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Project, MAHSR Package T-3, concerning the contractual approval regime governing Cement Asphalt Mortar (CAM).
The dispute involved questions relating to the CAM trial mix, technical specifications, durability requirements, design responsibility and the interpretation of contractual provisions governing compliance with the Employer's Requirements. Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rai.
The three-member Dispute Board, comprising S.N. Agrawal, Chairman, and S.K. Jain and M.K. Gupta, Members, unanimously rejected the claims raised by Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T), the Contractor.
The Board held that L&T's contention that its First CAM Trial Mix was fully compliant was incorrect. It found that the test results relied upon by L&T related to the CAM test conducted before execution and did not establish approval of the CAM mix. The Board also found the allegations against the Engineer to be baseless.
Consequently, the Board rejected L&T's claim for reimbursement of additional/differential costs arising from the use of Japanese-sourced CAM components. It also rejected L&T's claim for a 14-month extension of time, holding that the delay in obtaining approval of the CAM mix was attributable to the Contractor and not to the Engineer or NHSRCL.
The Board further rejected the consequential claims for interest and other relief. It directed that each party bear its own litigation costs, while the fee paid to the Dispute Board would be shared equally by the parties. The unanimous decision was declared on October 1, 2026.
The matter was handled by Senior Partners Pawan Upadhyay and Rajesh Chhetri of UNUC Legal LLP, who appeared for NHSRCL before the Dispute Board.