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The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) plans to empanel Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and other leading technical institutions to independently verify the hydraulic studies and structural designs of major bridges across national highway projects. The initiative is intended to strengthen quality assurance by subjecting bridge designs, which are expected to have a service life of at least 100 years, to rigorous technical scrutiny before construction begins. Around 12 IITs, including IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Roorkee and IIT Kharagpur, have expressed interest in collaborating with the authority. The review framework will be applied uniformly across projects executed under different implementation models.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has proposed empanelling Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and other premier technical institutions to independently verify hydraulic studies and the structural design of major bridges being constructed under national highway projects. The initiative, announced earlier this week, is aimed at strengthening technical oversight and ensuring higher standards of quality and safety before bridge construction begins.
According to an official statement, the proposed framework will introduce an independent proof-checking mechanism for major bridge structures that are designed with an expected service life of 100 years or more. The authority intends to subject these projects to comprehensive technical reviews to validate critical engineering parameters prior to execution.
Around 12 IITs have expressed their willingness to collaborate with the NHAI under the proposed initiative. These include IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Roorkee and IIT Kharagpur, along with several other leading technical institutions. Their participation is expected to provide independent technical expertise for reviewing complex bridge engineering designs across the national highway network.
The proposed proof-checking process will extend beyond structural design verification. According to the authority, the independent review will cover structural design calculations, engineering drawings, construction methodologies, geotechnical investigations and hydraulic studies associated with major bridge projects. The broader scope is intended to ensure that all critical engineering aspects are examined through an additional layer of technical scrutiny before construction activities commence.
NHAI stated that the initiative has been conceived to enhance quality assurance and improve the long-term durability and safety of bridge infrastructure. By introducing independent verification from reputed academic and technical institutions, the authority aims to minimise design-related risks and strengthen confidence in engineering standards adopted for national highway projects.
The review mechanism will be implemented through a uniform framework applicable to projects executed under different modes of construction. This includes highway projects undertaken through various implementation models, ensuring that the same quality assurance standards are maintained irrespective of the project delivery format.
According to the official statement, establishing a standardised proof-checking system across all eligible bridge projects will help create a consistent technical evaluation process throughout the national highway programme. The initiative is expected to reinforce engineering quality control while promoting greater uniformity in the design review process for critical bridge infrastructure developed under the NHAI.
The proposed collaboration with IITs and other technical institutions forms part of the authority's broader efforts to strengthen engineering governance and ensure that major bridge structures are subjected to independent expert assessment before entering the construction phase.
Source - PTI
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