In a significant step towards enhancing quality, transparency, and reliability in India’s highway infrastructure, the National Test House (NTH) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The agreement aims to strengthen quality control mechanisms and third-party testing in national highway and allied infrastructure projects, in line with the Government of India’s push for world-class infrastructure.
MoU Signing and Key Officials Present
The MoU was signed on December 30, 2025, at the NHAI Headquarters in New Delhi. The signing ceremony was held in the presence of senior officials from both organisations, including:
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Shri Bharat Khera, Additional Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs
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Shri Santosh Kumar Yadav, Chairman, NHAI
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Dr. Alok Kumar Srivastava, Director General, National Test House
Senior officials from NTH and NHAI were also present during the occasion.
Scope of Collaboration
Under the agreement, NTH will be empanelled as a recognised laboratory for NHAI, enabling the authority to send samples related to highway construction and allied works for independent testing and inspection.
Samples will be tested at NTH’s regional laboratories and satellite centres located across the country, including Ghaziabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Jaipur, Guwahati, Bengaluru, and Varanasi. NTH will deliver scientific, impartial, and timely test results through its online Management Information System (MIS) portal, along with physical reports where required.
Digital Integration and Capacity Building
The MoU also introduces several process enhancements, including:
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Online submission of test requests and digital payments
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Coordination through designated nodal officers from both organisations
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Participation of NTH experts in NHAI technical committees
In addition, both NTH and NHAI will jointly organise training programmes, workshops, and capacity-building sessions for NHAI officials. NTH will also extend technical support to strengthen testing facilities in NHAI laboratories wherever required.
Strengthening Quality Infrastructure
Established in 1912, the National Test House, functioning under the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, is one of India’s oldest and most trusted scientific testing and quality assurance institutions with a pan-India presence.
The collaboration is expected to significantly improve transparency, standardisation, and efficiency in quality assurance processes for national highway projects. By ensuring rigorous third-party testing and inspection, the partnership will contribute to safer, more durable, and higher-performing national highways.
Conclusion
The MoU between NTH and NHAI marks a crucial milestone in strengthening India’s highway quality assurance framework. By leveraging NTH’s scientific expertise and nationwide laboratory network, the collaboration will enhance accountability and standards in highway construction, supporting the Government of India’s vision of building robust, safe, and world-class infrastructure.
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Source: PIB
