The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has taken a significant step towards modernizing highway infrastructure management by deploying an in-house Artificial Intelligence (AI) system designed to detect road defects, identify flaws in project reports and improve decision-making across highway projects. The initiative aims to enhance efficiency, reduce delays and strengthen road safety across the country.
The AI-powered platform enables officials to analyze highway defects simply by uploading photographs. The system compares the findings against extensive repositories of Indian Roads Congress (IRC) codes, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways guidelines, circulars and technical specifications, providing instant recommendations for corrective action.
One of the most impactful features is its ability to review Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), which serve as the foundation for highway projects. By automatically identifying inconsistencies, omissions and deviations from established standards, the AI tool can help prevent costly project overruns, delays and safety concerns before construction begins.
NHAI has also introduced “Margsarthi,” an AI-based assistant that allows engineers and officials to quickly access relevant regulations, technical guidelines and project information. The system is currently being used internally and may soon be extended to consultants and contractors.
As India continues to expand its road network, NHAI’s adoption of AI represents a major shift towards data-driven infrastructure management, promising smarter planning, faster execution and safer highways for millions of commuters.
