Maharashtra PAR Framework Targets Better Infrastructure Delivery

New PAR Framework Targets Better Quality, Faster Completion and Stronger Accountability

The Maharashtra government has introduced a new Contractor Performance Assessment and Rating (PAR) Framework for major infrastructure projects worth ₹500 crore or more. The initiative is designed to improve construction quality, reduce delays and make contractors more accountable for the work they deliver.

The framework will apply to upcoming tenders issued by government departments, statutory bodies and authorities across Maharashtra. It will assess contractors based on their actual performance on previous and ongoing projects before they are considered for major contracts.

New Contractor Rating System for Major Projects

Under a Government Resolution issued by the Public Works Department, the PAR system will cover infrastructure agencies and government bodies including the Public Works Department, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation, Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, municipal corporations, CIDCO, Maha Metro, MHADA and other public authorities.

The government expects the new system to encourage contractors to maintain higher standards throughout the construction and maintenance cycle.

Performance Certificate Now Required for Technical Evaluation

Contractors will need a valid Performance Certificate if they want to use completed or ongoing projects as proof of their technical capacity during the tender process.

The certificate must be issued by an officer holding the rank of Chief Engineer or an equivalent position. It will remain valid for 12 months.

Projects submitted without a valid Performance Certificate will not be considered during the technical evaluation of the tender.

This requirement is expected to give authorities a clearer picture of a contractor's actual track record instead of relying only on project experience and financial capacity.

Contractors Will Be Rated on Three Key Parameters

The PAR framework will assign a total of 100 marks across three major areas:

• Timely completion: 30 marks
• Quality of work: 60 marks
• Maintenance or overall performance: 10 marks

For completed projects, the final component will consider maintenance during the defect-liability period. For ongoing projects, it will focus on overall performance.

The assessment will be supported by official project records, including progress reports, inspection reports, quality and safety documents, completion certificates, non-conformance reports and digital construction records.

Green, Yellow and Red Categories Introduced

After assessment, contractors will be placed into three performance categories according to their weighted average score.

Green category: Contractors scoring above 80 will be allowed to participate under normal tender conditions.

Yellow category: Contractors scoring above 60 but below 80 will face additional safeguards. They will be required to provide performance security along with additional performance security calculated at 1.10 times the specified rate.

Red category: Contractors scoring below 60 will be disqualified from the tender process.

The system is intended to create a clear distinction between contractors with strong performance records and those that have repeatedly failed to meet project expectations.

Ratings Will Reflect Performance Across Multiple Projects

The contractor's rating will not be based on just one project. Instead, the government will calculate a weighted average using all eligible projects that the contractor relies on for technical qualification.

The value of completed work will determine the weight assigned to individual projects. This approach is expected to provide a broader assessment of a contractor's performance.

It also gives consistently performing contractors an opportunity to build a stronger record across multiple projects.

Quality and Safety to Get Greater Attention

Quality will carry the highest weight in the new assessment, with 60 out of 100 marks. Authorities will review laboratory and field test results, structural performance and the timely closure of quality-related non-conformance reports.

Safety performance and environmental compliance will also form part of the evaluation.

The assessment can further consider the deployment of manpower and machinery, digital reporting systems and the use of modern construction technologies.

New Framework Aims to Improve Public Infrastructure

The Maharashtra government's new contractor rating system represents a move toward performance-based tendering for large infrastructure projects.

By linking tender eligibility and additional safeguards to actual project performance, the framework aims to encourage better construction practices, timely delivery and stronger maintenance standards.

For contractors, the message is clear: successful completion of major projects will depend not only on winning tenders but also on consistently delivering quality work, maintaining safety standards and meeting project timelines.

For the government and citizens, the system could help improve the value received from large public infrastructure investments and support more reliable project delivery across Maharashtra.