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NHAI Partners with NCAER to Establish Research Centre for Transportation Economics

June 27, 2026

NHAI stated that the framework will be implemented uniformly across National Highway projects undertaken through various modes of construction.

New Delhi : The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) to establish the NHAI Centre for Economics of Transportation, Mobility and Logistics, India’s first permanent and independent research centre dedicated to the economics of transportation, mobility and logistics. The initiative, backed by a founding contribution from NHAI, is aimed at promoting evidence-based policymaking, high-quality research and data-driven decision-making to support the planning, development and management of the country’s rapidly expanding National Highway network.

NHAI has partnered with NCAER to establish India's first dedicated research centre for the economics of transportation, mobility and logistics. The initiative aims to strengthen evidence-based policymaking, improve highway planning and support a more efficient transport…
— Ankita Sharma (@AnkitasharmaPr) June 27, 2026

Landmark collaboration for policy research

The MoU was signed at the NHAI headquarters in New Delhi in the presence of NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav, NCAER Director General and senior officials from both organisations. The collaboration marks a first-of-its-kind initiative to integrate applied economic research and analytics into India’s road infrastructure ecosystem.

Speaking on the occasion, NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav said the authority has played a key role in improving national connectivity and logistics efficiency. He noted that the partnership with NCAER would create a dedicated platform for policy research and analysis, helping strengthen planning, investment strategies and asset management across the transportation sector.

Focus on transportation and logistics research

The new centre will conduct policy-oriented research across a wide range of areas, including National Highway economics, freight logistics, modal integration, regional economic impacts of highway investments, toll policy, asset monetisation, road safety measures and the adoption of technology in highway operations and maintenance.

The research findings are expected to support the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, NHAI and other government agencies in designing more effective policies that improve efficiency, sustainability and user experience across India’s transportation network.

Knowledge hub and capacity building

Apart from research, the centre will function as a knowledge hub by publishing policy briefs, working papers, flagship reports and organising stakeholder consultations, workshops and academic engagements. It will also contribute to developing future talent and institutional capacity in transportation economics.

Governance and long-term support

The centre will be guided by an Advisory Committee comprising leading economists, transportation experts, public policy specialists, academicians, NHAI’s Member (Finance) and the Director General of NCAER. A Steering Committee constituted by NHAI will oversee research priorities and ensure alignment with the authority’s policy and operational objectives. NHAI will support the establishment and functioning of the centre for a period of ten years.

Strengthening India’s highway ecosystem

By promoting a deeper understanding of the economic dimensions of transportation infrastructure, mobility systems and logistics networks, the new institution is expected to enable more informed policymaking, improve the effectiveness of infrastructure investments and contribute to the development of a modern, efficient and world-class National Highway network.