In a significant step towards enhancing digital security and data protection in national highway operations, the Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL)—a company promoted by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)—has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU). The collaboration aims to strengthen cyber security frameworks and forensic reliability across India’s expanding national highway ecosystem.
Strategic Collaboration for Secure Highway Operations
The MoU focuses on fostering collaboration in research, training, and consultancy, particularly in areas such as cyber forensics, digital evidence integrity, and advanced technological applications relevant to national highway management. The agreement reflects a shared commitment to building technological resilience and institutional capacity in critical digital infrastructure.
The MoU was signed by A. R. Chitranshi, Chief Operating Officer, IHMCL, and S. O. Junare, Campus Director, NFSU Gandhinagar, in the presence of Santosh Kumar Yadav, Chairman, NHAI, and Vishal Chauhan, along with senior officials from NHAI, IHMCL, and NFSU.
Advanced Forensics and Cybersecurity Infrastructure
Under the MoU, NFSU will provide technical guidance and expert support to IHMCL for setting up state-of-the-art forensic laboratories, including facilities for CCTV analysis, multimedia and audio-video analysis, digital forensics, and cyber forensics. These capabilities are expected to significantly enhance evidence integrity and forensic reliability in highway-related digital systems.
Capacity Building Through Specialised Training
The collaboration places strong emphasis on capacity building. NFSU will support IHMCL through specialised training programmes in cyber and digital forensics, multimedia analysis, and related domains, enabling personnel to respond effectively to evolving cyber threats and ensure robust data protection.
Focus on Smart Highway Technologies
The MoU identifies key focus areas aligned with next-generation highway management systems, including:
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Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF)
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Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS)
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Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)
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Traffic Management Systems (TMS)
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Weigh-in-Motion (WIM)
Additional areas of collaboration include secure camera-based imaging systems, encrypted data storage and retrieval, cybersecurity reviews of critical applications, scientific improvement of imaging accuracy, and the establishment of Security Operations Centres (SOC) and forensic validation laboratories.
Joint Research and Governance Framework
Both organisations will undertake joint research, development, and consultancy projects in mutually agreed areas. Coordinators will be nominated by each side to oversee implementation and periodically review progress. The MoU will remain valid for three years, ensuring continuity and measurable outcomes.
Conclusion
The MoU underscores NHAI’s commitment to advancing a secure, resilient, and future-ready digital ecosystem for India’s national highways. By integrating forensic science, cyber security expertise, and smart mobility technologies, the collaboration with NFSU is set to strengthen the reliability and integrity of highway operations—supporting safe, efficient, and technology-driven infrastructure development nationwide.
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Source: PIB
