NHAI Strengthens Flood Preparedness for Monsoon to Ensure Seamless Travel on National Highways
3 June 2025 | PIB Delhi
With the arrival of the monsoon across India, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched a comprehensive 15-day monsoon preparedness drive aimed at minimizing travel disruption, mitigating risks of waterlogging and landslides, and ensuring safe and uninterrupted travel for commuters on national highways.
To tackle recurring monsoon challenges, NHAI is adopting a multi-pronged strategy involving field inspections, infrastructure checks, emergency response planning, and technology integration. This proactive initiative underscores the agency’s commitment to high standards in road safety and highway resilience.
Nationwide Inspection of Vulnerable Stretches
NHAI officials, in coordination with contractors and consultants, are inspecting high-risk highway segments to identify and rectify locations prone to flooding, landslides, and water accumulation. These inspections are particularly focused on stretches with past records of monsoon-related disruptions.
Key structures like bridges, culverts, and underpasses are being checked to ensure unimpeded water flow. Rainwater harvesting structures are also being cleaned and desilted to enhance drainage and prevent overflow.
Drainage and Pavement Maintenance in Full Swing
Efforts are being intensified to repair potholes on main carriageways, slip roads, and diversions. Desilting of culverts, cross drains, and RE wall weep holes is underway in historically flood-prone regions.
Simultaneously, stormwater outlets and roadside drains are being restored to operational condition to handle excess rainfall and ensure quick discharge of water, thereby reducing road surface damage and traffic delays.
Emergency Equipment Deployment and Rapid Response Mechanism
To address any sudden flooding incidents, NHAI is mobilizing emergency resources, including excavators, sandbags, pumps, and warning signage at waterlogging hotspots. These measures will support connectivity and commuter safety during heavy downpours.
NHAI is working in tandem with local authorities, administrative bodies, and executing agencies to respond swiftly to early warnings about floods or landslides. 24×7 Emergency Response Teams (ERTs) equipped with tools and machinery are being stationed at strategic locations.
In addition, Quick Response Teams (QRTs) have been activated at NHAI field offices to micro-monitor vulnerable areas and ensure real-time action in the event of road emergencies.
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Harnessing Technology for Smart Monitoring and Alerts
Technology is central to NHAI’s monsoon preparedness framework. Leveraging AI-powered Intelligent Traffic Management Systems (ITMS), NHAI will provide real-time traffic and weather alerts to highway users through the Rajmargyatra App and IMD’s Meghdoot App.
Drone surveillance is being used for aerial inspections, ensuring slope stability and identifying pavement cracks or structural issues that might worsen during rains. These visual inputs help in quick diagnosis and timely maintenance.
Ensuring Seamless Highway Travel During Monsoon
These proactive and well-coordinated efforts by NHAI are poised to ensure safer and smoother highway travel experiences even during peak monsoon. From flood mitigation to road infrastructure reinforcement, every aspect of the highway ecosystem is being enhanced to cope with climate stressors and unpredictable rainfall.
As one of the largest highway development agencies in the world, NHAI’s seasonal readiness reflects its mission to deliver world-class roads and dependable travel infrastructure under all weather conditions.
