In a major push towards integrated and future-ready infrastructure, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on coordinated road–rail planning, technology adoption, and resource optimisation.
The MoU was signed at NHAI headquarters in New Delhi in the presence of NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav and senior officials from both organisations. KRCL is a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Railways.
The umbrella agreement provides a framework for joint identification, planning, and execution of projects that enhance national connectivity, particularly in complex and challenging terrains. The collaboration will focus on integrated infrastructure development, including rail-cum-road bridges and tunnels, multi-modal logistics parks, inter-modal hubs, grade separators at highway–rail intersections, and common utility corridors.
NHAI will benefit from KRCL’s expertise in executing projects in difficult geographies, especially in the Konkan region. KRCL will support design reviews, safety audits, quality inspections, slope stabilisation, geotechnical solutions, and audits of existing tunnels and slope protection works. The partnership also includes capacity-building initiatives, with training programmes for NHAI officials at KRCL’s training institute.
Both organisations will collaborate on research and development, adoption of advanced digital tools for project monitoring and asset management, sharing of engineering best practices, and handling geological and environmental challenges. Data sharing and project-specific consultancy services are also part of the agreement.
The MoU further предусматри explores joint utilisation of surplus or underutilised land along national highways and the Konkan Railway corridor for commercial development, logistics, and warehousing. Emphasis will be placed on improving first- and last-mile connectivity and enhancing freight efficiency through stronger road–rail integration.
A Joint Working Group will be constituted to identify projects, conduct feasibility studies, develop proposals, and monitor implementation. The MoU will be valid for an initial period of five years.
The partnership is expected to support smarter logistics, safer transport corridors, and faster project execution, aligning with India’s long-term infrastructure and economic growth objectives.
