NHAI Signs MoU With Norwegian Geotechnical Institute

26 May 2026 CW Team

Under the arrangement, the NGI will provide consultancy on site characterisation for tunnel projects, preparation of feasibility studies and detailed project reports for forthcoming tunnel schemes, and structural assessment and safety audits of operational tunnels. The institute will also undertake advanced slope stability assessments to identify potential hazards and recommend mitigation measures, and will analyse and interpret InSAR data for slope monitoring. The partnership envisages development of early warning systems aimed at improving infrastructure safety and resilience.

The memorandum further emphasises institutional capacity building and knowledge exchange through joint research and development initiatives focussed on reduction of natural hazards. Both parties will organise workshops, seminars and technical training programmes and will collaborate on the publication of specialised technical literature. The activities are expected to scale up the highway sector's technical capabilities and support professional development.

The arrangement is non-exclusive and will operate on a project-to-project basis while remaining valid for a period of five years. The collaboration is designed to strengthen technical capabilities for the delivery of safe, sustainable and world-class national highway infrastructure. Officials from both countries view the partnership as deepening bilateral cooperation in infrastructure development, technology exchange and sustainable engineering practices.

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) in Oslo to strengthen technical expertise for national highway development. The agreement is intended to align highway projects with global standards by drawing on NGI's expertise in geotechnical engineering and natural hazard mitigation. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways noted the collaboration as a significant step towards enhancing engineering capacity in geologically sensitive and challenging terrains. Under the arrangement, the NGI will provide consultancy on site characterisation for tunnel projects, preparation of feasibility studies and detailed project reports for forthcoming tunnel schemes, and structural assessment and safety audits of operational tunnels. The institute will also undertake advanced slope stability assessments to identify potential hazards and recommend mitigation measures, and will analyse and interpret InSAR data for slope monitoring. The partnership envisages development of early warning systems aimed at improving infrastructure safety and resilience. The memorandum further emphasises institutional capacity building and knowledge exchange through joint research and development initiatives focussed on reduction of natural hazards. Both parties will organise workshops, seminars and technical training programmes and will collaborate on the publication of specialised technical literature. The activities are expected to scale up the highway sector's technical capabilities and support professional development. The arrangement is non-exclusive and will operate on a project-to-project basis while remaining valid for a period of five years. The collaboration is designed to strengthen technical capabilities for the delivery of safe, sustainable and world-class national highway infrastructure. Officials from both countries view the partnership as deepening bilateral cooperation in infrastructure development, technology exchange and sustainable engineering practices.

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