MoRTH deploys advanced tech for landslide mitigation on hill roads

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has initiated advanced measures to mitigate landslides and enhance climate resilience on hill roads. Following recent disasters like the Uttarkashi cloudburst, MoRTH is deploying Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) technology along a 100-km stretch of the Char Dham route in Uttarakhand to monitor ground movements and issue early warnings. Additionally, real-time monitoring systems are being planned for the Parwanoo-Solan section of NH-5 in Himachal Pradesh to track landslides, groundwater shifts, and rockfall zones.

To strengthen economy infrastructure in geologically sensitive areas, MoRTH has partnered with scientific institutions such as the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and IIT Roorkee. Geological maps and landslide susceptibility data are now integrated into the planning stages of highway projects. The ministry has also signed agreements with THDC India Limited and DGRE for specialized geohazard mitigation in Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh.

A phased construction approach has been introduced, focusing on slope stabilization before road building begins. Advanced technologies like drones, LiDAR surveys, and digital terrain models are being used to assess risks and implement site-specific solutions such as soil nailing, high-tensile steel meshes, and efficient drainage systems.

MoRTH is also adopting global standards for rockfall protection, mandating certifications like European Technical Assessment (ETA) for products. These efforts aim to reduce repair costs, minimize disruptions, and ensure safer highways in India's hill states.

With nearly 16,788 km of National Highways in hill regions, these initiatives reflect a shift from reactive disaster management to proactive resilience building, ensuring long-term safety and reliability of critical road infrastructure.