The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has set up a new design division to ensure the successful execution of road infrastructure projects and keep a tab on the fitness of critical bridges and tunnels.

The unit will formulate policy and guidelines for planning, soil investigation, design, construction, and maintenance of bridges, tunnels, and other structures that are being maintained by the agency.

One of the principal objectives of the decision to create a dedicated division is to carry out a study and analyse failed projects – bridge, tunnel, or reinforced earth wall and prevent future occurrences.

“To undertake the review of construction methodologies, temporary structures, lifting and launching methods, pre-stressing method, etc. of selected bridges and structures with a span of more than 200 metres and special structures on a random basis…To nominate the team of experts from the empanelled list in case of failures of bridges, structures, tunnels and RE walls for detailed analysis and issue guidelines to prevent such failures in future,” read the circular issued by the NHAI.

The newly created entity will also develop an IT-based monitoring system for bridge inventory, inspection records, and identification of distressed bridges and propose an annual plan for the repair or reconstruction of distressed bridges. The unit has been allowed to engage advisors, consultants, or Geotech experts as and when required, it added.