The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced a uniform system for independent checking of designs and drawings of major bridges and other critical structures being constructed under National Highway projects. The initiative aims to strengthen structural safety, improve durability and enhance quality assurance across the country’s highway infrastructure.
Announced by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on October 15, 2026, the policy provides for independent verification by empanelled Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), reputed government technical institutions and experienced technical firms specialising in bridge engineering and hydraulic studies.
The policy will cover major bridges and viaducts, including river bridges with a design discharge of 3,000 cubic metres per second or more, and bridges or structures with an individual effective span of 40 metres or more. Other special, complex or critical structures identified by NHAI will also fall within its scope.
The independent checking process will examine structural design calculations, structural analysis and design drawings. Where applicable, it will also include hydrological and hydraulic studies to assess water flow, flood levels, the adequacy of openings for water passage and foundation safety against river-bed erosion. The review is intended to identify potential design-related issues at an early stage and ensure compliance with applicable Indian Roads Congress (IRC) codes, technical specifications and contractual requirements.
Under the revised procedure, the contractor or concessionaire will submit the designs and drawings for review or approval, as required by the contract. Three institutions or firms will then be proposed from NHAI’s empanelled list, from which one or more will be selected for independent verification based on project requirements. The selected agency will submit its observations and recommendations, which the contractor or concessionaire must consider and address through necessary design modifications. NHAI will subsequently review or approve the design in accordance with the applicable contractual provisions.
The policy will come into effect on December 1, 2026, and will apply to all new Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC), Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) and Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) National Highway projects, as well as projects in which design verification or proof checking has not yet commenced.
Projects where design verification or proof checking has already been completed will generally remain outside the policy’s scope, although additional independent verification may be undertaken for major bridges and complex or critical special structures.
Through this measure, NHAI aims to establish a consistent quality-assurance mechanism for critical highway structures, supporting the development of safer, stronger and more durable National Highway infrastructure across India.
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