The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI).
The MoU aims to support India’s planning, design, assessment and monitoring of critical infrastructure projects in tunnel construction, slope stability analysis, monitoring of slopes as well as institutional capacity building.
Under the agreement, NGI will provide consultancy services including site characterisation for tunnel projects, preparation of feasibility studies and detailed project reports for upcoming tunnel projects, structural assessment and safety audits of operational tunnels as well as advanced slope stability assessments to identify potential hazards and recommend mitigation measures.
The collaboration will also include analysis and interpretation of InSAR data for slopes and development of early warning systems aimed at improving infrastructure safety.
The two organisations will also collaborate on research and development to reduce natural hazards. NHAI says highway sector’s technical capabilities will be scaled up through joint workshops, seminars, technical training programmes, and the publication of technical literature.
NHAI says the MoU will strengthen technical capabilities in the development of safe, sustainable and world-class national highway infrastructure.
“The partnership also reflects the growing co-operation between India and Norway in the field of infrastructure development, technology exchange, and sustainable engineering practices, further deepening bilateral ties and promoting long-term institutional collaboration,” it says.
