NHAI mandates technical verification for complex highway designs

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced new mandates for the additional verification of complex engineering designs to enhance quality control and safety in highway infrastructure projects. To establish a uniform and robust quality assurance framework, the NHAI plans to empanel experts from Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), government technical institutions, and other reputed organizations for “proof checking.”

This process involves independent third-party verification of designs, drawings, and hydrological or hydraulic studies for critical structures. The initiative specifically targets major assets like bridges, which are expected to have a design service life of 100 years or more. By subjecting these complex designs to rigorous technical scrutiny before construction begins, the NHAI aims to ensure structural safety, durability, and compliance with Indian Roads Congress (IRC) codes.

The move is intended to reduce the risk of design-related errors that could lead to expensive modifications, construction delays, or safety hazards during the execution of major projects such as expressways, elevated corridors, and interchanges.