NHAI mandates mechanised drain cleaning and automated pothole repair on highways
Synopsis
NHAI has made mechanised drain cleaning mandatory for urban highway stretches and formally added automated pothole repair machines to its Performance-Based Maintenance Contract framework — a structural shift from manual, reactive fixes to standardised technology-led upkeep, timed deliberately ahead of the monsoon season.
Key Takeaways
NHAI issued technology-driven maintenance directives on 9 June covering National Highways and Expressways .
Mechanised cleaning of lined drains — using high-flow suction units , hydraulic grab machines and dewatering pump sets — is now mandatory for urban highway stretches ahead of the monsoon.
Automatic pothole filling, compacting and patching machines have been added to the equipment list under Performance-Based Maintenance Contracts (PBMC) .
Contractors and concessionaires must strictly follow prescribed maintenance schedules; compliance on drainage deficiency timelines will be closely monitored.
The measures are designed to reduce waterlogging risk, cut pothole repair response times and improve ride quality for highway commuters.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Tuesday, 9 June rolled out a set of technology-driven directives to modernise maintenance across National Highways and Expressways, mandating mechanised drainage cleaning and the deployment of automated pothole repair machines under Performance-Based Maintenance Contracts (PBMC). The move is aimed at improving road quality, cutting response times and reducing disruption for highway users ahead of the monsoon season.
Mechanised Drain Cleaning Made Mandatory
With the monsoon approaching, NHAI has made mechanised cleaning of lined drains compulsory for urban and built-up stretches of National Highways and Expressways. The framework mandates the integrated use of high-flow suction and jetting units, hydraulic grab machines and dewatering pump sets.
These systems will be deployed for dewatering, loosening accumulated silt, removing slurry and clearing heavy debris from drainage channels — steps designed to strengthen stormwater management and reduce the risk of waterlogging on busy highway corridors.
Automated Pothole Repair Enters PBMC Framework
NHAI has formally incorporated automatic pothole filling, compacting and patching machines, as well as mechanised road sweeping machines, into the equipment list under Performance-Based Maintenance Contracts. The framework also establishes a mechanism for assessing and approving costs related to deploying these technologies in ongoing maintenance projects.
According to the authority, automated pothole repair is expected to accelerate pavement maintenance, cut response times and preserve the structural integrity of road infrastructure. Timely repairs are also projected to improve ride quality for commuters.
Stricter Contractor Compliance
NHAI has directed contractors and concessionaires to strictly adhere to prescribed maintenance schedules and inspection programmes for drainage systems. Compliance with timelines for rectifying drainage-related deficiencies will be closely monitored, with prompt action required to prevent deterioration in road conditions.
The authority stated that the initiatives are designed to strengthen preventive maintenance practices, improve the quality of upkeep and ensure stricter enforcement of maintenance contracts — while also enhancing the long-term sustainability of highway infrastructure.
What This Means for Highway Users
The directives cover both National Highways and Expressways, meaning the impact will be felt across a wide network used by millions of daily commuters and freight operators. This comes amid longstanding criticism of slow pothole repairs and poor drainage management on Indian highways, particularly during the monsoon months. Notably, the integration of automated equipment into formal contract frameworks marks a structural shift from ad hoc manual repair to standardised, technology-led upkeep.
With guidelines now issued and contractor obligations formalised, the next critical phase will be enforcement — and whether PBMC monitoring mechanisms translate these directives into measurable improvements on the ground.
Point of View
Not announcement. Performance-Based Maintenance Contracts have existed for years, yet pothole complaints and monsoon waterlogging on national highways remain perennial. Adding automated equipment to the PBMC equipment list is a necessary upgrade, but without credible third-party compliance audits and publicly reported deficiency-rectification data, these guidelines risk becoming another layer of paperwork. The structural move — tying equipment deployment to cost-assessment mechanisms within contracts — is the right instinct; the question is whether field-level monitoring will match the ambition of the circular.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has NHAI mandated for highway maintenance?
NHAI has mandated mechanised cleaning of lined drains for urban stretches of National Highways and Expressways, and has added automated pothole filling, compacting and patching machines to the equipment list under Performance-Based Maintenance Contracts. The directives aim to improve road quality and reduce disruptions for highway users.
Why is NHAI enforcing mechanised drain cleaning now?
The directives have been issued ahead of the monsoon season, when drainage failures and waterlogging on highway corridors typically worsen. Mechanised systems using high-flow suction units, hydraulic grab machines and dewatering pump sets are intended to clear silt and debris more effectively than manual methods.
What are Performance-Based Maintenance Contracts (PBMC)?
PBMCs are maintenance agreements under which contractors are held to defined performance standards rather than just completing specific tasks. NHAI has now incorporated automated pothole repair and road sweeping machines into the PBMC equipment framework, along with a cost-assessment mechanism for deploying these technologies.
How will NHAI ensure contractors comply with the new guidelines?
NHAI has directed that compliance with prescribed maintenance schedules and timelines for rectifying drainage deficiencies will be closely monitored. Contractors and concessionaires are required to follow inspection programmes, and prompt action is mandated to prevent road condition deterioration.
What benefits are expected for highway commuters?
The authority expects the measures to reduce waterlogging risks, accelerate pothole repairs, improve ride quality and preserve the structural integrity of road infrastructure. Reduced response times and better stormwater management are among the key projected outcomes.
