On 11 February, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) hosted an online meeting of the 9th Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) supporting capacity development projects on Highways in Mountainous Regions. The Technical Cooperation (TC) Project began in April 2016 intending to improve institutional capacity in creating roadways in mountainous areas. This JCC was the last one held before the project's completion in March 2022. Additional: KC Gupta As chairperson of the JCC meeting, Secretary, MoRTH (IAS) was present. In the presence of other dignitaries and officials from the Government of India MoRTH, National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL), National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), Embassy of Japan, and JICA, SAITO Mitsunori, Chief Representative, JICA India, gave a short speech at the meeting. The meeting highlighted the accomplishments of each project activity as well as the project's overall success.The formulation of five technical guidelines in the areas of planning, tunnelling, slope protection, bridge construction, and operation and maintenance is one of the most significant accomplishments.These recommendations were authorised by MoRTH on January 31, 2022, and will be published shortly. The forum also discussed the Model's effective implementation, including detailed project report (DPR) recommendations for NH54 in Assam and NH717 in West Bengal, as well as technology transfer to implement the NH10 pilot project in Sikkim. Since 2007, JICA has supported India's road sector with a number of technical cooperation projects, including capacity development of sustainable expressways 2007-2011, capacity development for highway operation and maintenance 2013-2015, and the Capacity Development Project on Highways in Mountainous Regions 2016-2022. The current Technical Cooperation Project is primarily focused on road-building in hilly areas, and its output has aided in the formulation of a new technical cooperation programme that will begin in April 2022. Image Source Also read: MoRTH to cross Rs 1.5 lakh crore funding mark