Bihar to use laser-based NSV technology to enhance road quality
The NHAI mandated the use of Network Survey Vehicles to improve road quality checks
In a major boost for Bihar’s infrastructure, the road construction department (RCD) is planning to employ high precision laser-based technology to examine the quality of the newly constructed roads in the state. The technology will also be used in maintaining old roads with the aim of saving time, cost and other resources as well as provide accurate assessment of Bihar’s roadway, a report by Hindustan Times stated.
This development has come weeks after the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) mandated the use of Network Survey Vehicle (NSV) technology to improve the quality of roads and national highways. Last month, the NHAI made it mandatory to carry out road condition survey using NSV on National Highways at the time of certifying the completion of the project and every six months afterwards.
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For years now, the RCD has been manually verifying the quality control measures of the roads in Bihar as laid down under the International Roughness Index (IRI). However, the process is not only costly and time-consuming, but also subject to errors.Therefore, the department has decided to adopt the laser-based network survey vehicle (NSV) technology to allow efficient assessment and ensure better quality of roads and highways in Bihar.
Earlier, the NHAI said that the deployment of NSV technology will facilitate instrengthening the overall quality of roads as it uses latest survey techniques including high-resolution digital camera 3,600 imagery and laser-beam throwing capacity, and laser road profilometer. The Authority also underlinedthe NSV technology will help in collecting data to assess the condition of roads, including surface measurement, surface crackings, potholes, or patches.
“It will also assist in developing Highway maintenance strategies, analysis of maintenance, and selection of optimal maintenance regime,” an NHAI statement said. Speaking to the newspaper, RCD Additional chief secretary Amrit Lal Meena said the new technology will help in penalizing contractors for violating quality control measures as compared to manual inspection.
Meena revealed the decision to adopt the NSV technology was taken after Bihar’s RCD minister Nitin Navin called for speedy addressal of complaints of poor quality of roads in the state. The minister recently held a meeting to review various ongoing road projects across the state.
In addition, the department’s executive engineers have also been asked to coordinate with 41 firms enlisted by the Union Ministry of Road Transportation and Highways (MoRTH) led by Nitin Gadkari to ensure rapid digitized survey and time maintenance of roads in Bihar. As per reports, Bihar has around 11,000 km of major district roads, 5,000 kmof national highways, and 4,000 km of state highways.
