NEW DELHI: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) plans to roll out AI-powered dashcam analytics services (DAS) across nearly 40,000 km of national highways currently under operation and maintenance contracts. The move follows a surge in commuter complaints about road quality and driving conditions.
To streamline monitoring, NHAI has divided the country into five zones and awarded two-year contracts for implementation.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways recently informed the Rajya Sabha that public complaints regarding highway construction quality and riding surfaces have risen by over 60% this year. As of March 12, complaints reached 11,340, up from 7,030 last year. Of these, 9,977 grievances have already been addressed.
Under the new system, AI-enabled dashcams will be installed in highway patrol vehicles to continuously record and analyse road conditions. The technology can detect around 30 types of defects, including potholes, cracks, rutting, surface wear, faded lane markings, damaged crash barriers, and non-functional streetlights.
Officials said the footage will be processed through a specialised IT platform equipped with AI analytics and data management tools. The system will generate reports within 24 hours, enabling authorities to quickly identify issues and direct contractors and officials to carry out repairs.
Beyond surface defects, the system will also flag safety hazards such as illegal median openings, unauthorised signage, encroachments, and improper parking.
Regular inspections will be built into the process, with surveys conducted at least once a week and night-time checks carried out monthly. These will assess the visibility and performance of road signs, pavement markings, reflectors, and lighting, along with identifying issues like waterlogging, missing drainage covers, overgrown vegetation, and the condition of bus bays.
