The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced a uniform system for independently checking designs and drawings for major bridges and other critical structures developed under its projects. The policy is intended to identify design-related issues at an early stage and improve compliance with applicable technical requirements.

Under the new system, designs for identified critical structures will be examined by empanelled Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), reputed government technical institutions and experienced technical firms. The organisations selected for the work will be required to have expertise in bridge engineering and hydraulic studies.

The initiative will cover major bridges and viaducts, including major river bridges with a design discharge of 3,000 cubic metres per second or more. It will also apply to structures and bridges with an individual effective span of 40 metres or more.

NHAI said the independent checking process would help ensure that designs meet the applicable Indian Roads Congress (IRC) codes, technical specifications and contractual requirements. The authority has described the measure as particularly important for major bridges and other complex structures, where design verification is central to construction planning and structural performance.

The policy will take effect on December 1, 2026. It will apply to all new Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC), Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) and Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) National Highway projects, as well as projects in which design verification or proof checking has not yet begun. The new framework establishes a common process for obtaining external technical scrutiny across the covered projects.