What happened
The National Highways Authority of India has said that the National Highways Infra Trust, commonly called NHIT, has engaged General Management Consultants for operations and maintenance of National Highway assets held by NHIT. NHIT is an Infrastructure Investment Trust sponsored by NHAI, and the first phase of consultant-led operations and maintenance covers 908 km of National Highway assets.
NHIT was registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India in October 2020 and currently manages National Highway assets with a combined length of 2,653 km. The stated objective is to professionalise lifecycle management, improve operational efficiency, and align maintenance practices with global standards.
Background and earlier position
NHIT is supported by National Highways InvIT Project Managers Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of NHAI, which functions as the Project Manager. Under the Securities and Exchange Board of India Infrastructure Investment Trust Regulations, the Project Manager is responsible for efficient operations and maintenance of the assets, along with reporting, disclosure, and certification.
Before the consultant engagement, NHIPMPL already carried the responsibility for highway asset management in the NHIT portfolio. The new arrangement adds specialised technical and managerial support rather than replacing the existing governance structure.
Related current affairs
- FASTag-based Annual Pass for non-commercial vehicles and shift to barrier-less tolling
- NHAI amends AE/IE consultancy RFPs to mandate minimum remuneration and revise Site Engineer engagement
- NHAI to empanel IITs and technical institutions for independent proof checking of major bridge designs
- NHAI launches digital ‘local pass’ for residents in 2-km radius of toll plazas
- Govt. issues public consultation guidelines for highway projects after panel recommendations
- Gupta writes to Gadkari, seeks NH status for city’s Mandi Road