Varanasi: Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to promote collaborative research, technology transfer and innovation in highway infrastructure, with a special focus on challenging terrains.The agreement was signed at NHIDCL headquarters in New Delhi on Thursday in the presence of NHIDCL managing director Kishan Kumar, director (technical) Amrendra Kumar, IIT-BHU dean (research and development) Prof Rajesh Kumar and MoRTH chair professor at IIT-BHU Prof Ankit Gupta.The collaboration will focus on advanced highway engineering, slope stabilisation, sustainable pavement technologies and real-time monitoring of road networks, particularly in hilly and border areas. The partnership will also facilitate joint research projects, technical knowledge exchange, specialised training programmes, workshops and internship opportunities for students and engineers.Under the agreement, IIT-BHU will also provide consultancy, advanced material testing, structural auditing and technical advisory services for NHIDCL projects.Kishan Kumar emphasised the importance of bridging the gap between academic research and field-level implementation to develop resilient and sustainable infrastructure.Prof Rajesh Kumar said the partnership would help translate institutional research into practical solutions for the country’s road transport sector.Prof Ankit Gupta highlighted its potential to accelerate innovation in pavement engineering and improve highway safety standards.
