Major bridges and other critical structures in NHAI projects will come under a uniform system of independent design checks from December 1, 2026. Outlined in an October 15 government release, the policy is intended to identify design problems early and strengthen quality assurance.
The Breakdown
The National Highways Authority of India says the policy covers major bridges and viaducts. These include major river bridges with a design discharge of at least 3,000 cubic metres per second, and structures with an individual effective span of at least 40 metres. NHAI can also identify other special or complex structures for checking.
The review extends beyond drawings. It includes structural calculations and analysis, plus hydrological and hydraulic studies where applicable. Those studies examine water flow, flood levels, the space available for water to pass through, and risks to foundations from river-bed erosion.
Who checks the design?
The contractor or concessionaire first submits its design under the relevant contract. Three organisations are then proposed from NHAI’s approved panel, with one or more selected to conduct the independent review. The panel includes IITs, government technical institutions and experienced specialist firms.
The reviewer submits observations and recommendations. The contractor or concessionaire considers them and makes the necessary changes, after which NHAI reviews or approves the design according to the contract. The independent reviewer is therefore one part of the process; contractual review or approval still follows.
Which projects are affected?
The policy applies to new Engineering, Procurement and Construction, Hybrid Annuity Model and Build-Operate-Transfer highway projects, as well as projects where design verification or proof checking has not started.
Projects whose design verification or proof checking is already complete are generally outside its scope. However, additional independent verification may still be undertaken for major bridges and complex or critical special structures. It is not a blanket rechecking programme for every existing bridge.
Why It Matters
For contractors and concessionaires, the policy standardises independent technical checks within the design process. Its value will depend on the quality of that review and how its findings are addressed. A new checking procedure alone does not establish that construction defects or operational risks have been eliminated.
The Crunch
NHAI is standardising independent technical checks at the design stage for major bridges and other critical structures. The practical test is whether reviewers identify problems early and the required changes reach the approved design. Safer outcomes remain a goal to be demonstrated during construction and operation.