The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Konkan Railway Corporation Limited on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a framework for cooperation in integrated infrastructure development, according to a release issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
The MoU was signed at NHAI headquarters in New Delhi in the presence of NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav and senior officials of both organisations. Konkan Railway Corporation Limited is a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Railways.
Under the agreement, the two organisations will collaborate to identify, plan and pursue areas of mutual interest, with an emphasis on coordination between road and rail infrastructure projects, particularly in complex and challenging terrains.
The scope of cooperation includes planning for integrated development of National Highway and rail infrastructure such as rail-cum-road bridges and tunnels, multi-modal logistics parks, inter-modal hubs, grade separators at locations where highways intersect or coexist with railway lines, and development of common utility corridors where feasible.
The MoU also provides for NHAI to access Konkan Railway’s experience in executing projects in difficult terrains, including review and proof-checking of designs, drawings and safety aspects of complex bridge and tunnel projects, as well as slope stabilisation works. Safety and quality audits of existing tunnels and slope protection works are also covered under the agreement.
In addition, the two organisations will organise training programmes for NHAI officers and staff at Konkan Railway’s training institute and share technical expertise related to project management, engineering design, construction methodologies, geological challenges and environmental management.
The collaboration further envisages joint identification and utilisation of surplus or underutilised land parcels for commercial development, logistics facilities and other infrastructure projects along the National Highway network and the Konkan Railway corridor.
Other areas of cooperation include planning first-mile and last-mile connectivity solutions for freight and passenger movement, integrating road and rail networks, exploring dedicated freight corridors or linkages, and adoption of advanced technologies and digital solutions for project monitoring, traffic and asset management, along with data sharing to improve planning and operational efficiency.
To implement the agreement, a Joint Working Group comprising representatives from both organisations will be constituted to identify specific projects, undertake preliminary assessments and feasibility studies, prepare detailed project proposals, monitor progress and resolve operational issues. The MoU will remain valid for an initial period of five years.
