Goa’s highways are set to undergo a digital transformation in their upkeep, with the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways introducing an app-based monitoring system to ensure that repair and maintenance works are completed on time and to prescribed standards. The state’s public works department has been directed to adopt the application, which became operational in late July, bringing greater transparency and accountability to a sector where delays and quality lapses have long been a concern.
The move comes at a time when over ₹14,000 crore has already been invested in highway expansion and upgradation across Goa, with fresh projects worth another ₹3,000–4,000 crore recently sanctioned. Officials explained that such high-value investments require rigorous oversight to ensure longevity, as poor maintenance not only erodes infrastructure but also diminishes public trust in government spending.
The newly launched platform is not designed for public grievance redressal like the Rajmargyatra app, nor solely for project execution oversight like the NHAI One app. Instead, it focuses specifically on internal management of completed works, particularly during the defect liability period when contractors are bound to rectify shortcomings at no additional cost. Central and state officials will be trained to use the system, which also integrates geo-fencing and automated dashboards to track progress in real time.
Among its key features are automated reports, notifications, and a comprehensive digital dashboard that allows monitoring teams to verify rectification of defects, apply penalties where necessary, and standardise inspection protocols across different regions. A WhatsApp group has also been created to ensure immediate communication between central monitors, state agencies, and on-ground teams, allowing faster responses to maintenance lapses. Officials describe the platform as part of a wider effort to modernise infrastructure governance by embedding technology into the lifecycle of public assets. Poorly maintained highways increase fuel consumption, create safety hazards, and generate higher carbon emissions, undermining India’s goals of building eco-friendly and sustainable transport networks. By ensuring that contractors are held accountable through digital verification, authorities hope to reduce inefficiencies that have historically burdened road users and the exchequer alike.
For Goa, where highways are the backbone of tourism and intercity connectivity, the application could prove a critical step in aligning infrastructure delivery with the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors. By reinforcing transparency and quality assurance, the initiative sets a precedent for other states to adopt technology-driven oversight in maintaining vital public assets. While the effectiveness of the new system will depend on how rigorously it is enforced, the move indicates a clear shift toward embedding digital accountability into infrastructure management. In a state heavily dependent on sustainable mobility for economic and social growth, the new monitoring tool promises to make highway travel smoother, safer, and more reliable.
