Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and other top institutions will now conduct independent proof-checks on designs of major bridges being constructed along National Highways in India. This decision, made by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on June 30, aims to ensure safety and cut long-term costs. The premier institutions will be responsible for verifying hydraulic studies and designs of significant bridge structures in all upcoming National Highway projects.
Around 12 IITs, such as IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Roorkee, and IIT Kharagpur, along with other esteemed institutions, have shown interest in collaborating with NHAI for this initiative. The move seeks to guarantee that major bridges, intended to last 100 years or more, undergo thorough independent technical assessments before construction begins. This collaboration will establish a national framework for vetting critical bridge projects, enhancing quality assurance practices and promoting better design and execution of bridge constructions.
NHAI’s decision includes reviewing structural design calculations, engineering drawings, construction methods, geotechnical surveys, and hydraulic studies for major bridges. The framework will be uniformly applied to projects under various construction modes, ensuring a consistent quality assurance mechanism across different project delivery methods. This step aligns with NHAI’s goal of implementing top-notch engineering practices and institutional mechanisms to enhance the quality and future-readiness of the National Highway network.
