NHAI To Introduce AI Dashcam Surveillance Across 40,000 Km Of Highways; How It Will Work

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is preparing to introduce an advanced AI-powered dashcam monitoring system across nearly 40,000 km of national highways, in a significant move towards smarter and more technology-driven road management.

The initiative is aimed at improving highway maintenance, strengthening safety standards, and enabling real-time monitoring of road conditions through automated surveillance and data-led analysis across India.

What Is NHAI's AI Dashcam Monitoring System?

The new system, called Dashcam Analytics Services (DAS), will use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to monitor and assess conditions on national highways. As part of the rollout, high-resolution dashboard cameras will be installed on Route Patrol Vehicles (RPVs), which will regularly survey highway stretches.

These cameras will continuously capture video and image data, which will then be analysed through AI-based models. The system has been designed to automatically detect more than 30 types of road defects and anomalies, reducing dependence on manual inspections and helping authorities identify problems much faster.

What Will The AI System Track On Highways?

The AI-powered monitoring system will mainly focus on pavement health, including potholes, cracks, and signs of surface wear. Alongside road surface issues, it will also keep track of critical highway infrastructure such as lane markings, crash barriers, streetlights, and road signage.

Its coverage will go beyond basic maintenance checks. The system will also be used to flag safety hazards and encroachments, including illegal median openings, unauthorised hoardings, roadside obstructions, and improper parking along highways.

In addition, it will monitor issues such as waterlogging, excessive vegetation growth, blocked drainage systems, and the condition of bus bays, helping officials identify both safety and maintenance concerns more efficiently.

Night Surveys To Check Visibility And Road Safety

To make the monitoring process more comprehensive, NHAI will also carry out regular night-time surveys under the initiative. These inspections will focus on assessing the visibility and effectiveness of road markings, reflectors, and highway lighting systems.

This is expected to help authorities identify issues that are harder to detect during daytime inspections, especially those linked to driver visibility and road safety after dark.

How The Data Will Be Used For Maintenance And Repairs

All data collected through the dashcam network will be uploaded to a centralised digital platform equipped with AI analytics and interactive dashboards. This platform will enable officials to monitor highway conditions in real time, compare changes over time, and track the progress of maintenance and repair work in a more structured way.

To improve management and oversight, the national highway network under this system will be divided into five zones. This zonal structure is intended to make data handling more organised and allow quicker action on issues flagged by the AI models.

The insights generated from the system will also be integrated into NHAI's central data ecosystem, ensuring that identified defects, safety gaps, and maintenance requirements can be acted upon in a timely and coordinated manner.