New Delhi: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced a uniform mechanism for independent checking of designs and drawings of major bridges and other critical structures built under National Highway projects. The new policy, which will take effect on December 1, 2026, aims to improve structural safety, construction quality and long-term durability.
Under the policy, designs of identified critical structures will be independently examined by empanelled Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), reputed government technical institutions and experienced technical firms specialising in bridge engineering and hydraulic studies.
The initiative is intended to identify potential design flaws at an early stage and ensure that critical structures comply with applicable Indian Roads Congress (IRC) codes, technical specifications and contractual requirements.
Which National Highway Structures Will Require Independent Checks?
The policy covers major bridges, viaducts and other complex structures identified by NHAI. The emphasis is on structures where design accuracy and the ability to withstand demanding environmental conditions are particularly important.
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The structures covered include:
- Major river bridges: Those with a design discharge of 3,000 cubic metres per second or more.
- Long-span structures: Bridges or structures with an individual effective span of 40 metres or more.
- Major bridges and viaducts: Structures falling within the policy’s scope.
- Special or complex structures: Other critical structures specifically identified by NHAI.
The criteria are intended to identify structures requiring additional technical scrutiny because of their size, complexity or hydraulic conditions.
What Will the Independent Design Verification Cover?
The independent checking process will examine the technical basis of a structure’s design before it proceeds through the applicable project review or approval process.
The scope of verification will include:
- Structural design calculations.
- Structural analysis.
- Design drawings.
- Hydrological studies, wherever applicable.
- Hydraulic studies, wherever applicable.
Hydrological and hydraulic assessments are particularly important for bridges over rivers and other watercourses. They help determine water flow, flood levels, the adequacy of openings for water to pass through and the risk of river-bed erosion affecting foundations.
By examining these aspects, independent reviewers can flag potential concerns and recommend changes before design issues translate into construction or operational risks.
How Will NHAI’s New Design-Checking Mechanism Work?
The revised procedure establishes a structured process involving the project contractor or concessionaire, independent technical institutions and NHAI.
The process will follow these steps:
- Submission of designs: The contractor or concessionaire submits the relevant designs and drawings for review or approval, as required under the contract.
- Selection of reviewers: Three institutions or firms will be proposed from NHAI’s empanelled list.
- Independent verification: Based on the project’s requirements, one or more institutions or firms will be selected to examine the design.
- Technical recommendations: The selected reviewers independently assess the design and submit their observations and recommendations.
- Design revisions: The contractor or concessionaire considers the observations and makes the necessary changes, as required.
- NHAI review or approval: The revised design is then reviewed or approved by NHAI in accordance with the applicable contractual provisions.
The mechanism introduces an additional layer of technical scrutiny while retaining the existing contractual process for design review and approval.
When Will the Policy Apply to National Highway Projects?
The new mechanism will come into effect on December 1, 2026, and will cover specified categories of new National Highway projects as well as certain ongoing projects.
Its applicability will extend to projects implemented under the following models:
- Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC)
- Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM)
- Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT)
The policy will apply to new projects under these models and to projects where design verification or proof checking has not yet commenced.
Projects in which design verification or proof checking has already been completed will generally remain outside the policy’s scope. However, NHAI may require additional independent verification for major bridges and complex or critical special structures.
IITs and Technical Institutions to Support Quality Assurance
The policy provides for independent checking by empanelled IITs, reputed government technical institutions and experienced technical firms with expertise in bridge engineering and hydraulic studies.
Their role will be to provide an independent technical assessment of designs and drawings, helping identify shortcomings that may otherwise remain undetected during the initial design process.
The involvement of specialist institutions is expected to strengthen technical scrutiny of critical structures and promote a more consistent approach to quality assurance across National Highway projects.
NHAI Aims to Strengthen Long-Term Highway Safety
The introduction of independent design verification forms part of NHAI’s effort to strengthen quality assurance for major bridges and other critical highway infrastructure.
Such structures must withstand traffic loads, environmental stresses and, where relevant, challenging river and flood conditions. Design-related deficiencies can affect both structural performance and long-term durability.
By establishing a uniform checking mechanism, NHAI aims to improve the reliability of critical structures and support the development of safer, stronger and more durable National Highways across the country.
The policy will begin on December 1, 2026, with its application determined by the project category, the stage of design verification and the provisions specified by NHAI.
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