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NHAI–Konkan Railway MoU and the Emerging Road–Rail Convergence Framework
India’s infrastructure development strategy is increasingly shaped by the need to move beyond sector-specific planning and towards integrated transport solutions. In this context, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL), a public sector undertaking under Ministry of Rilaways, on January 21, 2026, announced through Press Release dated January 21, 2026, marks a significant institutional step towards coordinated road–rail infrastructure development. The MoU reflects a deliberate policy shift towards optimizing public resources, leveraging cross-sectoral expertise, and delivering infrastructure solutions that are efficient, resilient, and future-ready.
Traditionally, road and rail infrastructure in India have been planned and executed through parallel institutional frameworks, often resulting in duplication of effort, sub-optimal land use, and missed opportunities for synergy. As transport demand intensifies, particularly in logistics, freight movement, and connectivity to remote and challenging geographies, the need for integrated planning has become increasingly apparent. The NHAI-KRCL MoU responds by creating an umbrella framework for joint planning and project development, combining NHAI’s highway expertise with KRCL’s specialized railway engineering capabilities to deliver efficient and technically robust infrastructure solutions.
The MoU envisages a wide-ranging collaboration covering the planning, design, execution, and monitoring of integrated infrastructure projects. A key focus area is the integrated development of National Highway and railway infrastructure, including rail-cum-road bridges and tunnels, which offer significant advantages in land optimization and construction efficiency, particularly in hilly and coastal regions.
Beyond linear transport assets, the MoU places strong emphasis on multi-modal integration. This includes:
- planning and development of Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs);
- creation of inter-modal hubs; and
- provision of grade separators at locations where national highways intersect or run parallel to railway corridors.
- Exploration and establishment of common utility corridors wherever feasible to optimise land use and reduce duplication of infrastructure.
These integrations are expected to enhance first-mile and last-mile connectivity, reduce logistics costs and transit time, and improve the overall efficiency of freight and passenger movement across regions.
A notable feature of the collaboration is NHAI’s access to KRCL’s specialized technical capabilities, particularly in executing projects in challenging geological and topographical conditions. KRCL’s experience in complex bridge and tunnel engineering, slope protection, and stabilization works will support NHAI through design review and proof-checking, as well as enhanced focus on safety and quality assurance.
The MoU further provides for safety and quality audits of existing tunnels and slope protection works, strengthening engineering assurance protocols. In addition, training programs will be conducted at KRCL’s training institute for NHAI officers and staff to elevate technical know-how in areas such as geological challenges, environmental management, and construction methodologies.
The MoU provides for technical collaboration, project consultancy, and joint R&D, including sharing best practices in design, construction, project management, geology, and environmental management.
The partnership includes joint identification and utilisation of surplus or underutilized land parcels along national highway networks and the Konkan Railway corridor for commercial development, logistics facilities, and allied infrastructure projects.
The MoU also underscores a logistics-led approach to infrastructure planning, with a focus on integrated road–rail freight solutions, dedicated freight linkages, and improved connectivity for both goods and passengers. This approach is expected to support India’s ambition of becoming a globally competitive logistics hub.
To ensure effective implementation, the MoU provides for the constitution of a Joint Working Group (JWG) comprising representatives from both NHAI and KRCL. The JWG will be responsible for identifying specific projects for collaboration, undertaking preliminary assessments and feasibility studies, developing detailed proposals, monitoring progress, and resolving operational issues. The MoU will remain valid for an initial period of five years, providing a stable institutional framework for sustained cooperation.
