NHAI Professionalises InvIT-led Operations and Maintenance of National Highway Assets

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), vide its Press Release dated July 16, 2026 (the “Press Release“), has announced that the National Highways Infra Trust (NHIT), an Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) sponsored by NHAI, has engaged General Management Consultants (GMCs) to institutionalise professional and technology-driven Operations and Maintenance (O&M) practices across National Highway assets under its portfolio. NHIT presently manages 2,653 km of National Highway assets, with GMCs being entrusted, in the first phase, with the O&M of 908 km of highway assets.

The initiative forms part of NHAI’s broader strategy to strengthen governance and lifecycle management of operational highway assets through specialised professional expertise. In this regard:

• National Highways InvIT Project Managers Private Limited (NHIPMPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of NHAI, will continue to function as the Project Manager for NHIT;
• NHIPMPL shall remain responsible for ensuring efficient O&M of National Highway assets, either directly or through consultants; and
• the engagement of GMCs is intended to support NHIPMPL while ensuring compliance with the reporting, disclosure and certification requirements prescribed under the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014 (the “SEBI InvIT Regulations”).

Under the proposed framework, the GMCs shall provide end-to-end professional asset management services, including:

• undertaking daily, weekly and monthly inspections through visual assessments and equipment-based evaluation techniques;
• identifying maintenance requirements, safety interventions, defect rectification works and capacity augmentation measures; and
• recommending initiatives aimed at improving the quality, safety and overall user experience on operational National Highway assets.

The scope of the GMCs’ responsibilities has also been expanded beyond routine maintenance and includes:

• managing procurement of specialised contractors and agencies;
• supervising execution of maintenance and improvement works;
• certifying completed works;
• recommending measures for improving toll plaza operations and traffic management; and
• ensuring timely reporting and regulatory compliance under the SEBI framework governing Infrastructure Investment Trusts.

The Press Release further states that NHAI proposes to build upon this initiative by developing a dedicated ecosystem of specialised O&M consultants and contractors for National Highway assets.