+
MoRTH to Frame IRC Norms for New-Age Machines in Highway Work
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

MoRTH to Frame IRC Norms for New-Age Machines in Highway Work

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has decided to formally adopt Automated and Intelligent Machine-aided Construction (AIMC) for highway projects, aiming to accelerate execution and ensure timely completion. In line with this, MoRTH announced that the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) will develop new guidelines based on feedback from contractors and concessionaires actively involved in these projects.

So far, MoRTH has sanctioned at least 16 highway projects where innovative construction equipment will be deployed. Additionally, the ministry is awaiting Cabinet approval for 10 more projects planned under the AIMC initiative.

“Over the past decade, the expansion of India’s national highway network—including Greenfield and Brownfield corridors—has involved high embankments and extensive earthworks. This necessitates advanced technologies like AIMC to ensure efficiency and quality,” officials stated.

The ministry’s decision follows the successful evaluation of AIMC technologies during a pilot run on the Lucknow–Kanpur Expressway. GPS-enabled motor graders, intelligent compactors, and stringless pavers were used during the project, demonstrating improved outcomes. Stakeholder feedback and global best practices also informed the ministry’s decision.

To support AIMC deployment, MoRTH is also coordinating with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to facilitate necessary radio frequency licenses for contractors and concessionaires using such equipment.

The list of AIMC-sanctioned projects includes:

  • Western Bypass, Gwalior (29 km)
  • 6-lane Greenfield Ludhiana Bypass (25 km)
  • Deoghar Bypass (49 km)
  • Shillong–Silchar Corridor (167 km)
  • Vrindavan Bypass (15 km)
  • Patna–Arrah–Sasaram Highway in Bihar (125 km)

Projects currently submitted for Cabinet approval include:

  • Satellite Township Ring Road (STRR), Bengaluru, Karnataka (144 km)
  • Badvel–Nellore Corridor, Andhra Pradesh (108 km)
  • 4-lane Sirhind–Sehna section of NH-205AG, Punjab (107 km)
  • Nashik–Ahmednagar–Solapur–Akkalkot segment of the Surat–Chennai Expressway (374 km)

In December, MoRTH invited feedback from state PWDs, road construction agencies, and other stakeholders on the adoption of AIMC to shape the forthcoming IRC guidelines.

The ministry expects that AIMC will bring significant benefits—enhanced adherence to design specifications, better ride quality, longer durability, reduced material wastage, increased productivity, real-time documentation, improved transparency, and lower human intervention.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has decided to formally adopt Automated and Intelligent Machine-aided Construction (AIMC) for highway projects, aiming to accelerate execution and ensure timely completion. In line with this, MoRTH announced that the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) will develop new guidelines based on feedback from contractors and concessionaires actively involved in these projects.So far, MoRTH has sanctioned at least 16 highway projects where innovative construction equipment will be deployed. Additionally, the ministry is awaiting Cabinet approval for 10 more projects planned under the AIMC initiative.“Over the past decade, the expansion of India’s national highway network—including Greenfield and Brownfield corridors—has involved high embankments and extensive earthworks. This necessitates advanced technologies like AIMC to ensure efficiency and quality,” officials stated.The ministry’s decision follows the successful evaluation of AIMC technologies during a pilot run on the Lucknow–Kanpur Expressway. GPS-enabled motor graders, intelligent compactors, and stringless pavers were used during the project, demonstrating improved outcomes. Stakeholder feedback and global best practices also informed the ministry’s decision.To support AIMC deployment, MoRTH is also coordinating with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to facilitate necessary radio frequency licenses for contractors and concessionaires using such equipment.The list of AIMC-sanctioned projects includes:Western Bypass, Gwalior (29 km)6-lane Greenfield Ludhiana Bypass (25 km)Deoghar Bypass (49 km)Shillong–Silchar Corridor (167 km)Vrindavan Bypass (15 km)Patna–Arrah–Sasaram Highway in Bihar (125 km)Projects currently submitted for Cabinet approval include:Satellite Township Ring Road (STRR), Bengaluru, Karnataka (144 km)Badvel–Nellore Corridor, Andhra Pradesh (108 km)4-lane Sirhind–Sehna section of NH-205AG, Punjab (107 km)Nashik–Ahmednagar–Solapur–Akkalkot segment of the Surat–Chennai Expressway (374 km)In December, MoRTH invited feedback from state PWDs, road construction agencies, and other stakeholders on the adoption of AIMC to shape the forthcoming IRC guidelines.The ministry expects that AIMC will bring significant benefits—enhanced adherence to design specifications, better ride quality, longer durability, reduced material wastage, increased productivity, real-time documentation, improved transparency, and lower human intervention.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

CONCOR, Dubai’s RHS Partner for Global Logistics Push

 Container Corporation of India Ltd (CONCOR) has entered into a strategic partnership with Dubai-based Rais Hassan Saadi Group (RHS) to explore joint opportunities in the overseas shipping and logistics sector. The collaboration was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 14 July 2025, aimed at providing integrated, cost-effective end-to-end logistics solutions with a focus on enhancing international multimodal connectivity.The agreement aligns CONCOR’s extensive expertise in inland logistics, terminal operations, and supply chain management with RHS Group’s es..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

AM/NS Commissions Galvanising Line at Hazira Plant

ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel (AM/NS) India has commissioned a new Continuous Galvanising Line (CGL) at its Hazira facility to produce advanced high-strength steel for the automotive sector. The new unit raises the company's downstream steel capacity by 0.5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 3.3 MTPA, with plans to reach 5 MTPA by year-end through two more lines.The company had committed an investment of Rs 85 billion in five galvanising lines at Hazira, of which around 85 per cent has already been utilised.AM/NS India stated that its new high-strength galvanised steel will replace imports, with ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

MCD Clears Rs 11.5 Billion Projects Including Puzzle Parking

After a gap of over two years, the newly reinstated Standing Committee of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has approved a range of civic and infrastructure projects worth approximately Rs 11.5 billion. Among the key decisions is the construction of a multi-level puzzle parking facility at Bharat Darshan Park in west Delhi, costing Rs 316 million, which will accommodate 188 vehicles. The project will be executed within 12 months and includes 10 years of operation and maintenance by the implementing agency.Standing Committee Chairman Satya Sharma stated the parking, equipped with advance..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?