NTH, NHAI Tie Up To Strengthen Highway Quality Checks
The collaboration is aimed at improving transparency, standardisation and overall construction quality in highway works. The MoU was signed at NHAI headquarters in New Delhi in the presence of Bharat Khera, Additional Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs; Santosh Kumar Yadav, Chairman, NHAI; and Alok Kumar Srivastava, Director General, NTH, along with senior officials from both organisations.
Under the agreement, NTH will be empanelled as a recognised testing laboratory for NHAI, allowing the highways authority to send samples from projects for independent testing and inspection. Construction materials and works will be tested at NTH’s regional laboratories and satellite centres in Ghaziabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Jaipur, Guwahati, Bengaluru and Varanasi.
NTH will deliver scientific and impartial test results within stipulated timelines through its online management information system as well as physical reports, supporting timely decision-making during project execution. The arrangement also enables online submission of test requests and payments, coordination through designated nodal officers and participation of NTH experts in NHAI technical committees.
In addition, the two organisations will jointly conduct training programmes, workshops and capacity-building initiatives for NHAI officials. NTH will also assist in strengthening testing facilities at NHAI laboratories wherever required.
Established in 1912 and operating under the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, the National Test House provides scientific testing and quality assurance services across India. The collaboration is expected to enhance the safety, durability and performance of national highways, supporting the government’s broader objective of developing reliable, high-quality infrastructure nationwide.