The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has deployed Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) based landslide monitoring and early warning systems along a 100 kilometre (km) stretch of the Char Dham route in Uttarakhand. It has planned an advanced alert system on the Parwanoo-Solan section of National Highway five to monitor landslides, land sinking, groundwater movement and rockfall-prone zones in real time. The initiatives aim to detect subtle ground movements and identify vulnerable slopes before disasters occur.

The Ministry has strengthened collaboration with scientific agencies and signed a memorandum of understanding with the Geological Survey of India for geological investigations, data sharing and integration of National Landslide Susceptibility Mapping into planning and alignment surveys. With nearly 16,788 km of national highways in hill states out of a total network exceeding 146,570 km, resilient design reflects the Himalayan region's particular vulnerability to landslides, rockfalls, flash floods and cloudbursts.

Policy reforms include a phased construction approach in which an initial period of about one year is devoted to cutting hill slopes and completing protection works, with road construction starting only after slopes show stability through at least one monsoon season. The Ministry is piloting satellite based monitoring and has signed agreements with firms using InSAR and other geospatial intelligence to provide early warning indicators, support targeted mitigation and improve maintenance planning. Mountain highways typically cost between Rs150 million (mn) and Rs300 mn per km to construct; a single moderate landslide can incur repair costs of Rs100 mn to Rs250 mn and disrupt traffic for two to five days.

A site specific scientific approach guides selection of mitigation measures, with engineers assessing rainfall, groundwater and geological characteristics before choosing techniques such as soil nailing, high tensile wire mesh and prestressed cable anchors. Nature based solutions including bamboo benching and vetiver plantations are being trialled alongside engineering works, while capacity building and safety audits with partners aim to embed global best practices and protect vital lifelines for hill communities.