NHAI Deploys AI Survey Vehicles To Upgrade Highway Quality

24 Oct 2025 CW Team

The NSVs will gather critical data on road conditions, including surface cracks, potholes, and other defects. The information collected through these surveys will help NHAI identify deficiencies and take corrective measures to ensure smoother, safer, and more durable roads across the national network.

All data captured will be uploaded to NHAI’s AI-based Data Lake portal, where a dedicated team of experts will analyse it to generate actionable insights. As per Government of India guidelines, the data collected at regular intervals will be stored in the Road Asset Management System in a prescribed format for future technical use and planning.

The pavement surveys will be conducted using 3D laser-based NSV systems equipped with advanced technologies such as high-resolution 360-degree cameras, Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS), Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), and Distance Measuring Indicator (DMI). These systems can automatically detect and record road defects without human intervention and feature robust data acquisition and processing software to ensure accuracy.

Data collection will cover all projects involving 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-lane highways, with surveys conducted before the start of work and subsequently every six months. To operationalise this initiative, NHAI has invited bids from qualified companies to supply and deploy NSVs.

The Network Survey Vehicle system is a specialised infrastructure management tool fitted with advanced sensors and data acquisition systems. By systematically collecting detailed information on road inventory and conditions, it enables NHAI to make informed decisions on pavement maintenance, asset management, and infrastructure planning—enhancing both the safety and efficiency of India’s National Highway network.

To enhance the riding experience for commuters on National Highways, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will deploy Network Survey Vehicles (NSVs) across 23 states, covering a total of 20,933 kilometres. These vehicles will collect, process, and analyse road inventory and pavement condition data to support better planning and maintenance of highway stretches. The NSVs will gather critical data on road conditions, including surface cracks, potholes, and other defects. The information collected through these surveys will help NHAI identify deficiencies and take corrective measures to ensure smoother, safer, and more durable roads across the national network. All data captured will be uploaded to NHAI’s AI-based Data Lake portal, where a dedicated team of experts will analyse it to generate actionable insights. As per Government of India guidelines, the data collected at regular intervals will be stored in the Road Asset Management System in a prescribed format for future technical use and planning. The pavement surveys will be conducted using 3D laser-based NSV systems equipped with advanced technologies such as high-resolution 360-degree cameras, Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS), Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), and Distance Measuring Indicator (DMI). These systems can automatically detect and record road defects without human intervention and feature robust data acquisition and processing software to ensure accuracy. Data collection will cover all projects involving 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-lane highways, with surveys conducted before the start of work and subsequently every six months. To operationalise this initiative, NHAI has invited bids from qualified companies to supply and deploy NSVs. The Network Survey Vehicle system is a specialised infrastructure management tool fitted with advanced sensors and data acquisition systems. By systematically collecting detailed information on road inventory and conditions, it enables NHAI to make informed decisions on pavement maintenance, asset management, and infrastructure planning—enhancing both the safety and efficiency of India’s National Highway network.

Infrastructure Transport

09 Jan 2026

India Becomes First to Produce Bio-Bitumen for Roads

India has become the first country in the world to commercially produce bio-bitumen for use in road construction, according to Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. Bitumen, a black and viscous hydrocarbon derived from crude oil, is a key binding material in road building, and the bio-based alternative is expected to significantly improve the sector’s environmental footprint.Addressing the CSIR Technology Transfer Ceremony in New Delhi, Mr Gadkari congratulated Council of Scientific and Industrial Research on achieving the milestone, noting that the initiative would help curb ..

Infrastructure Urban

09 Jan 2026

HILT Policy Seen Boosting Telangana Revenue Sharply

The Hyderabad Industrial Land Transformation (HILT) Policy is expected to generate around Rs 1.08 billion in revenue for the Telangana state exchequer, according to Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu. Speaking in the Telangana Legislative Assembly, he said the policy would be implemented within a six-month timeframe in a transparent manner, with uniform rules applicable to all stakeholders. Mr Vikramarka noted that without the HILT Policy, the state would have earned only about Rs 1.2 million per acre. Under the new framework, however, revenue is projected to rise sharply to Rs 70 ..

Infrastructure Urban

09 Jan 2026

India Post, MoRD Tie Up to Boost Rural Inclusion

The Department of Posts and the Ministry of Rural Development have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to accelerate rural transformation and expand financial, digital and logistics services for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and rural households across India. The agreement was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and Union Minister of Rural Development and Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The collaboration aligns with the government’s “Dak Sewa, Jan Sewa” vision and seeks to repositi..