The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has partnered with the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) to create India’s inaugural independent research center focused on transportation economics. The NHAI Centre for Economics of Transportation, Mobility, and Logistics, to be housed at NCAER, aims to enhance evidence-based policymaking in India’s expanding road transport and logistics sector. This collaboration seeks to bolster research-driven decision-making and planning in the industry.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at the NHAI headquarters in the presence of NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav, NCAER Director General, and senior officials from both entities. The center will serve as a dedicated platform for conducting applied economic research on transportation, mobility, and logistics, providing insights to facilitate long-term planning, investment decisions, and policy formulation. It is envisioned to support the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in designing efficient policies and programs for the transportation ecosystem.
NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav emphasized the authority’s commitment to enhancing national connectivity and logistics efficiency. The collaboration with NCAER is expected to fortify planning, investment, and asset management decisions within the transportation sector. The research center will engage in policy-oriented research covering various areas such as National Highway economics, freight logistics, toll policy, and technology adoption in highway operations and maintenance.
The research outcomes are anticipated to aid governmental bodies in formulating policies aimed at enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and user experience in the transportation domain. Apart from research activities, the institution will serve as a knowledge hub by disseminating policy briefs, working papers, and flagship reports, in addition to organizing stakeholder consultations and academic engagements. An Advisory Committee comprising experts from diverse fields will guide the center’s operations, while a Steering Committee formed by NHAI will oversee research priorities and ensure alignment with policy objectives.
NHAI will provide support for the establishment and functioning of the center over a ten-year period. The initiative is poised to contribute to the advancement of a modern and world-class National Highway network through informed policymaking and a deeper understanding of transportation economics.
