The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will soon carry out detailed studies to determine the most suitable construction methods—hill-cutting, viaducts, or tunnels—for executing highway projects in hill states. The initiative aims to improve safety, sustainability, and long-term stability in road building across India’s mountainous regions.

The decision was taken during a brainstorming session held last week on strengthening quality control in highway construction. According to sources, experts highlighted that the cost of stabilising slopes after hill-cutting often equals the cost of constructing tunnels. They recommended that future projects adopt a balanced mix of all three methods, rather than relying heavily on hill-cutting alone. The meeting was chaired by V. Umashankar, Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Hill-cutting for road expansion has long been a contentious issue. Geologists have warned that in states such as Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, steep hill-cutting without adequate slope stabilisation, coupled with unregulated dumping of debris on riverbanks, can cause severe environmental damage and heighten the risk of landslides and floods.

Officials confirmed that a decision was also made to prepare a comprehensive construction manual for highway projects. This manual will set out standard operating procedures and ensure consistent adherence to best practices across projects.

“It was noted that although Indian Road Congress (IRC) codes provide design guidelines, there is no specific manual for construction. We also need to build capacity among workers involved in highway projects, as workforce skill directly affects construction quality. A structured training module will soon be developed,” an official said.

The move follows increasing concern over the durability of newly built highways, with several recently inaugurated stretches showing damage within months. “There is still insufficient focus on addressing construction quality and long-term maintenance,” another official observed.

The NHAI’s upcoming studies and new guidelines are expected to set higher standards for sustainable road development in India’s ecologically fragile hill regions.