MoRTH to Frame IRC Norms for New-Age Machines in Highway Work
28 Jun 2025
2 Min Read
CW Team
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has decided to formally adopt Automated and Intelligent Machine-aided Construction (AIMC) for highway projects, aiming to accelerate execution and ensure timely completion. In line with this, MoRTH announced that the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) will develop new guidelines based on feedback from contractors and concessionaires actively involved in these projects.
So far, MoRTH has sanctioned at least 16 highway projects where innovative construction equipment will be deployed. Additionally, the ministry is awaiting Cabinet approval for 10 more projects planned under the AIMC initiative.
鈥淥ver the past decade, the expansion of India鈥檚 national highway network鈥攊ncluding Greenfield and Brownfield corridors鈥攈as involved high embankments and extensive earthworks. This necessitates advanced technologies like AIMC to ensure efficiency and quality,鈥� officials stated.
The ministry鈥檚 decision follows the successful evaluation of AIMC technologies during a pilot run on the Lucknow鈥揔anpur Expressway. GPS-enabled motor graders, intelligent compactors, and stringless pavers were used during the project, demonstrating improved outcomes. Stakeholder feedback and global best practices also informed the ministry鈥檚 decision.
To support AIMC deployment, MoRTH is also coordinating with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to facilitate necessary radio frequency licenses for contractors and concessionaires using such equipment.
The list of AIMC-sanctioned projects includes:
- Western Bypass, Gwalior (29 km)
- 6-lane Greenfield Ludhiana Bypass (25 km)
- Deoghar Bypass (49 km)
- Shillong鈥揝ilchar Corridor (167 km)
- Vrindavan Bypass (15 km)
- Patna鈥揂rrah鈥揝asaram Highway in Bihar (125 km)
Projects currently submitted for Cabinet approval include:
- Satellite Township Ring Road (STRR), Bengaluru, Karnataka (144 km)
- Badvel鈥揘ellore Corridor, Andhra Pradesh (108 km)
- 4-lane Sirhind鈥揝ehna section of NH-205AG, Punjab (107 km)
- Nashik鈥揂hmednagar鈥揝olapur鈥揂kkalkot segment of the Surat鈥揅hennai Expressway (374 km)
In December, MoRTH invited feedback from state PWDs, road construction agencies, and other stakeholders on the adoption of AIMC to shape the forthcoming IRC guidelines.
The ministry expects that AIMC will bring significant benefits鈥攅nhanced adherence to design specifications, better ride quality, longer durability, reduced material wastage, increased productivity, real-time documentation, improved transparency, and lower human intervention.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has decided to formally adopt Automated and Intelligent Machine-aided Construction (AIMC) for highway projects, aiming to accelerate execution and ensure timely completion. In line with this, MoRTH announced that the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) will develop new guidelines based on feedback from contractors and concessionaires actively involved in these projects.So far, MoRTH has sanctioned at least 16 highway projects where innovative construction equipment will be deployed. Additionally, the ministry is awaiting Cabinet approval for 10 more projects planned under the AIMC initiative.鈥淥ver the past decade, the expansion of India鈥檚 national highway network鈥攊ncluding Greenfield and Brownfield corridors鈥攈as involved high embankments and extensive earthworks. This necessitates advanced technologies like AIMC to ensure efficiency and quality,鈥� officials stated.The ministry鈥檚 decision follows the successful evaluation of AIMC technologies during a pilot run on the Lucknow鈥揔anpur Expressway. GPS-enabled motor graders, intelligent compactors, and stringless pavers were used during the project, demonstrating improved outcomes. Stakeholder feedback and global best practices also informed the ministry鈥檚 decision.To support AIMC deployment, MoRTH is also coordinating with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to facilitate necessary radio frequency licenses for contractors and concessionaires using such equipment.The list of AIMC-sanctioned projects includes:Western Bypass, Gwalior (29 km)6-lane Greenfield Ludhiana Bypass (25 km)Deoghar Bypass (49 km)Shillong鈥揝ilchar Corridor (167 km)Vrindavan Bypass (15 km)Patna鈥揂rrah鈥揝asaram Highway in Bihar (125 km)Projects currently submitted for Cabinet approval include:Satellite Township Ring Road (STRR), Bengaluru, Karnataka (144 km)Badvel鈥揘ellore Corridor, Andhra Pradesh (108 km)4-lane Sirhind鈥揝ehna section of NH-205AG, Punjab (107 km)Nashik鈥揂hmednagar鈥揝olapur鈥揂kkalkot segment of the Surat鈥揅hennai Expressway (374 km)In December, MoRTH invited feedback from state PWDs, road construction agencies, and other stakeholders on the adoption of AIMC to shape the forthcoming IRC guidelines.The ministry expects that AIMC will bring significant benefits鈥攅nhanced adherence to design specifications, better ride quality, longer durability, reduced material wastage, increased productivity, real-time documentation, improved transparency, and lower human intervention.
Next Story
SECI Extends Green Ammonia Bid Deadline to 30 June
The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has extended the bid deadline for its green ammonia tender to 30 June 2025. The tender was issued under the SIGHT Scheme - Mode 2A, Tranche I, to supply 7.24 lakh tonnes annually to 13 fertiliser plants.As the implementing agency under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, SECI will enter long-term offtake agreements with selected producers, providing 10-year commercial certainty to encourage market development for green hydrogen derivatives.
..
Next Story
India Launches First Maritime Sector NBFC
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal recently inaugurated Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL), India鈥檚 first NBFC dedicated to the maritime sector. Formally registered with the RBI on 19 June 2025, SMFCL evolved from Sagarmala Development Company Limited.It will address financing gaps for ports, MSMEs, startups, and maritime institutions, supporting shipbuilding, renewable energy, cruise tourism, and education. The move aligns with India鈥檚 Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 and aims to catalyse innovation and sustainable logistics growth.Union Minister of State Shantanu Thakur emphasis..
Next Story
Centre Reviews Expansion of Rourkela Steel Plant
A high-level meeting on the expansion of the Rourkela Steel Plant was recently held, attended by Ministers H.D. Kumaraswamy, Jual Oram, and Dharmendra Pradhan, alongside Odisha government and SAIL officials.The expansion aims to double the plant鈥檚 capacity from 4.5 to 9.3 million tonnes with a supporting railway line upgrade. Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram raised concerns over employment for displaced youth and requested additional land for Rourkela airport expansion.It was decided that the Ministry of Steel will form a high-level committee with Odisha officials and SAIL to resolve local ..