The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has made Automated and Intelligent Machine-Aided Construction (AI-MC) compulsory for major highway projects that are longer than 20 km and have an estimated cost exceeding ₹500 crore. The new requirement is intended to improve construction quality, accuracy and consistency across large road infrastructure projects.
According to the directive issued by NHAI, contractors working on qualifying highway projects will be required to deploy AI-MC technology throughout the construction process. The mandate will cover major layers of highway development, including embankments, subgrade and Granular Sub-Base (GSB) layers. The move marks a wider use of automated construction technology in India’s highway development programme.
AI-MC uses onboard computers, sensors and digital control technology fitted to heavy construction equipment. Graders, pavers, compactors and dozers can be equipped with these technologies to guide construction operations with greater accuracy. Instead of depending entirely on manual monitoring, the machines use digital inputs and real-time information to assist with the execution of construction activities.
For highway construction, achieving the required levels, slopes, thickness and compaction is important for the performance of the road. Variations during the preparation of the embankment, subgrade or GSB layers can affect subsequent construction activities. Machine-aided technology can help contractors monitor work parameters during execution and improve uniformity in the finished layers.
The NHAI’s decision is aimed particularly at addressing quality concerns in large infrastructure projects. With highway projects involving long stretches and substantial investments, monitoring every stage of construction through conventional methods can be challenging. Automated equipment can provide a more consistent approach to construction control and help record project data during execution.
The new mandate applies to all highway projects that meet both requirements: a project length of more than 20 km and a cost exceeding ₹500 crore. Contractors undertaking such projects will now need to plan for the use of automated and intelligent machine-aided construction technology as part of their construction methodology.
The technology is expected to be used across different stages of road development, allowing construction equipment to perform activities based on defined design parameters. Real-time monitoring can also reduce dependence on manual checks for certain construction operations and provide project teams with better visibility into the work being carried out.
The move follows the implementation of AI-MC technology on the Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway pilot project. The experience from the pilot is understood to have demonstrated the potential of the technology for application in larger highway projects, leading NHAI to make its use mandatory for projects meeting the prescribed criteria.
The adoption of machine-aided construction may also change how contractors plan equipment deployment and workforce requirements. Construction companies involved in major highway projects may need to invest in compatible machinery, digital equipment and trained operators to meet the new requirements. Equipment suppliers could also see increased demand for graders, pavers, compactors and dozers equipped with onboard computers and sensors.
For the construction sector, the mandate represents another step towards the use of digital and automated methods in infrastructure development. As highway projects become larger and construction schedules become more demanding, technology-based execution and monitoring are expected to play a larger role.
