NHAI Introduces Performance Assessment Rating System for Concessionaires

In a significant step to enhance accountability and improve the quality of National Highway construction and maintenance, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced a comprehensive Performance Assessment Rating System for concessionaires. This initiative aims to establish a transparent framework to evaluate the performance of contractors engaged in National Highway development and maintenance.

Under this new system, concessionaires will be assessed every six months using two key parameters:

• • Pavement Condition Index (PCI)
  • Defect Rectification Compliance via the NHAI One App

The results of these assessments will be published on the NHAI website and shared across its official social media platforms to ensure transparency and public accountability.

Pavement Condition Index (PCI): The PCI is a scientific metric, ranging from 0 to 100, which categorizes pavement conditions from ‘Excellent’ to ‘Failed’, as per the IRC 82:2023 guidelines. It evaluates highways based on six functional parameters:

• • Roughness
  • Potholes
  • Cracking
  • Raveling
  • Rut Depth
  • Patchwork

To ensure accuracy and efficiency, the data for PCI will be collected using advanced technologies like Laser Crack Measurement Systems mounted on Network Survey Vehicles (NSV). The surveys will be conducted and processed by centrally deployed agencies under the supervision of a dedicated NHAI team.

NHAI One App for Defect Rectification: The NHAI One App plays a crucial role in monitoring and rectifying over 95 types of highway defects digitally. Compliance with defect rectification forms a key part of the performance assessment system, contributing 20% weightage to the final rating.

Weightage Distribution: The final performance rating will be calculated with:

• • 80% weightage to PCI
  • 20% weightage to defect rectification compliance via the NHAI One App

Concessionaires will be divided into categories based on their performance score:

• • Contractors scoring below 70 out of 100 will be classified as ‘non-performers’
  • Non-performers will face ineligibility for securing new National Highway projects until they improve their ratings.

The evaluation will occur at two levels:

• • Project Level: Individual projects will be rated based on their performance.
  • Concessionaire Level: An aggregate rating will be calculated for the entire concessionaire based on all projects handled.

The project-level and combined concessionaire ratings will be reviewed biannually with every cycle of the NSV survey. Defect compliance data from the NHAI One App will also contribute to these assessments.

By integrating advanced tools like Laser Crack Measurement Systems and Network Survey Vehicles, along with digital defect monitoring through the NHAI One App, the performance assessment system ensures real-time, scientific, and transparent evaluation. This approach not only boosts accountability but also raises the bar for quality construction and maintenance standards on India’s National Highways.

Through this robust assessment framework, NHAI aims to set new benchmarks in highway management, enhancing the safety, comfort, and efficiency of travel for millions of highway users across the country. This initiative reflects NHAI’s commitment to delivering high-quality infrastructure and improving user experience on India’s National Highway network.