The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is undertaking a significant shift in its National Highway Operations and Maintenance (O&M) strategy by adopting a predictive asset management framework. This transition moves away from conventional maintenance practices and is anchored on three strategic pillars to ensure national highways are maintained to the highest standards.
The first pillar involves large-scale asset condition monitoring using advanced technologies. NHAI has deployed Network Survey Vehicles (NSVs) across the network to collect pavement condition data including roughness, rutting, cracking, and structural distress. Drone Analytics Monitoring Systems (DAMS) are being used to create digital inventories of assets, monitor structures, and identify encroachments. Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) testing assesses the structural health of pavements to detect weakening sections before visible failures emerge. To further strengthen data capture, NHAI has initiated the rollout of AI-powered Dashcam Analytics Services (DAS) across operational highway sections, enabling automated detection of shortcomings from potholes and damaged crash barriers to faulty lighting and drainage issues.
The second pillar focuses on creating a centralized asset intelligence ecosystem. Data generated through NSVs, drones, dashcams, and FWD surveys is being integrated into a single ecosystem, creating one source of asset condition truth across the entire National Highway network. This allows data to support multiple use cases and stakeholders across the O&M ecosystem, enabling NHAI to move beyond fragmented inspections and develop a continuously updated digital view of asset health.
The third pillar emphasizes predictive monitoring and risk-based decision-making. By combining historical condition data, inspection records, and ongoing asset monitoring, NHAI will be able to identify trends early, prioritize vulnerable stretches, and intervene before shortcomings become critical. This initiative is underpinned by proactive intervention and performance management enabled through standardized maintenance manuals, improved maintenance contracts, and robust ecosystem support.
The comprehensive approach integrates advanced monitoring technologies, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and performance-driven maintenance systems to enhance National Highway longevity, optimize maintenance expenditures, and deliver world-class travel experience to highway users across the country.