The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced a series of technology-driven measures aimed at strengthening maintenance practices across National Highways and Expressways, including mechanized drain cleaning, automated pothole repair systems and advanced road sweeping technologies.
The authority has issued comprehensive guidelines for mechanized maintenance of drainage systems in urban and built-up areas and for the deployment of advanced maintenance equipment such as Automatic Pothole Filling, Compacting and Patching Machines, as well as Mechanized Road Sweeping Machines.
According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the initiatives are intended to improve maintenance efficiency and quality through the adoption of modern technologies, preventive maintenance practices and stricter enforcement of contractual obligations.
Ahead of the monsoon season, NHAI has made mechanized cleaning of lined drains mandatory in urban and built-up sections of National Highways and Expressways.
The framework involves the integrated use of High-Flow Super Suction and Jetting Units, Hydraulic Grab Machines and Dewatering Pump Sets for dewatering, removal of silt, suction of slurry and clearing of heavy debris from drainage channels.
The provision will be incorporated into future maintenance contracts for urban highway stretches.
NHAI has also directed contractors and concessionaires to strictly follow prescribed maintenance schedules and inspection programmes for cleaning and repairing drains.
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Compliance with timelines for rectification of drainage-related deficiencies will be closely monitored.
In a separate initiative, the authority has issued guidelines for deploying Automatic Pothole Filling, Compacting and Patching Machines and Mechanized Road Sweeping Machines under Performance-Based Maintenance Contracts (PBMC).
The framework provides a mechanism for assessing and approving costs associated with these technologies in ongoing maintenance contracts and aims to accelerate their adoption across the national highway network.
According to the ministry, automated pothole repair equipment will help speed up pavement repairs, reduce maintenance response time and minimise inconvenience to highway users, while improving ride quality and preserving pavement integrity.
Mechanized road sweeping machines will be used for systematic cleaning of carriageways and paved shoulders through the removal of dust, silt and loose particulate matter.
The ministry said the machines will improve visibility, enhance road safety and help reduce dust-related pollution.
Such equipment has already been deployed on the Varanasi-Aurangabad and Handia-Rajatalab highway stretches, as well as on projects in Haryana, Punjab and Gujarat.
The ministry said the adoption of mechanized drain cleaning, automated pothole repair and advanced road sweeping technologies is expected to improve operational efficiency, strengthen preventive maintenance practices and enhance the overall experience of National Highway users.
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