The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced a series of technology-driven initiatives aimed at strengthening maintenance practices across National Highways and Expressways. As part of the measure, NHAI has issued comprehensive guidelines for mechanized maintenance of drainage systems in urban and built-up areas and deployment of advanced mechanized road maintenance equipment, including Automatic Pothole Filling, and Mechanized Road Sweeping Machines. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said that these initiatives are aimed at improving efficiency and quality of National Highway maintenance through adoption of modern technologies, preventive maintenance practices and stricter enforcement of contractual obligations.

It added that for the upcoming monsoon season and to improve the efficiency, quality and effectiveness of drainage maintenance, NHAI has also mandated use of mechanized cleaning of lined drains in urban and built-up areas of National Highways and Expressways. In another major initiative, NHAI has issued guidelines for deployment of Automatic Pothole Filling, Compacting and Patching Machines and Mechanized Road Sweeping Machines to be incorporated in the list of equipment to be deployed under Performance-Based Maintenance Contracts. The Ministry said that these measures will improve quality, strengthen sustainability and enhance travel experience of the National Highway users.