AI, advanced robotics to transform highway building

The plan aims to speed up construction, reduce waste and improve ride quality, durability

- Subhash Narayan

India plans to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) and automated machines powered by advanced robotics to build next-generation highways and complete projects faster in a sector marred by frequent delays.

The government proposes to switch from the manual or mechanized method to an ‘automated and intelligent machine-aided construction’ (AIMC), according to an office memorandum of the ministry of road transport and highways (MORTH).

Besides speeding up construction, the plan aims to reduce waste and improve ride quality, durability and longevity of transport networks.

New guidelines for highway construction may be implemented from the next fiscal year with a pilot covering a few projects in FY26, said a ministry official on condition of anonymity.

The norms may first be tried on building expressways and access-controlled highways before rolling them out for new-age highway projects, the official said.

India has about 146,000km of national highways network.