The Indian government is set to finalise the GIS mapping of all national highways, marking a significant step towards improved planning, execution, and monitoring of the country’s road network.
This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), aims to delineate the jurisdictions of all state-owned developers, ensuring timely project completion and streamlined data collection. The Ministry has directed all project implementing units under its umbrella—including the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Border Roads Organization (BRO), and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL)—to complete jurisdictional markings on the national highways dashboard by the end of May. This comprehensive GIS data collection will facilitate future reference and expedite ongoing work.
The primary objective of this standard operating procedure (SOP) is to enhance GIS-based data collection for all national highways under MoRTH. An official memorandum from MoRTH outlines that the SOP aims to define the responsibility areas for each national highway, utilise a GIS-based mapping system via a media portal for network definition and data visualisation, implement a verification process by the administrative team to ensure data accuracy and reliability, and use the collected data for various communication purposes related to the highway system. The SOP is designed to improve transparency by providing accurate and up-to-date information. It will also enhance communication flow by establishing a standardised data collection process. With the goal of increasing highway construction to 50 kilometres per day, GIS technology is expected to be instrumental in providing precise information on alignments and identifying any obstructions along the highway paths.
By adopting GIS mapping, the government aims to address the challenges faced in highway construction and maintenance. This technology will allow road constructing agencies to have a clearer understanding of the geographical alignments and potential obstacles, thereby facilitating more efficient project execution. The integration of GIS technology is not only a step towards modernising the infrastructure development process but also an effort to bring greater transparency and accountability. By providing real-time, accurate data, the government seeks to ensure that the national highway projects are completed on schedule, ultimately benefiting the overall transportation network and economy. The GIS mapping initiative by the Centre is poised to revolutionise the way national highways are planned, monitored, and executed in India. This forward-thinking approach underscores the government’s commitment to leveraging advanced technologies for infrastructure development, setting a new benchmark in the realm of road transport and highways.
