The Government of India has initiated a project to utilise artificial intelligence (AI) for the identification of defects such as potholes and cracks on rural roads. This innovative method aims to transform how road conditions are assessed, significantly improving the maintenance processes in the country. According to a report, the Ministry of Rural Development has given preliminary approval for trials of an AI-based road-condition assessment system targeted at roads constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).

Details of the Trial Deployment

The deployment of this AI system is part of a nationwide field exercise that commenced on September 1, 2026, following the identification of Programme Implementation Units by various states and Union territories to participate in the trials. Developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in collaboration with the National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (NRIDA), this system aims to enhance the monitoring of road conditions, particularly in rural areas.

Traditionally, road maintenance under the PMGSY has been conducted through physical inspections and geo-tagged photographs uploaded by officials via the eMARG mobile application. However, with the emerging AI technology, the trials will focus on detecting seven specific types of visible defects, including potholes, longitudinal cracks, transverse cracks, edge breaks, surface depressions, patches, and vegetation-related obstructions.

During these trials, road-condition videos are being recorded with mobile devices mounted on vehicles used by the implementation units, with the possibility of incorporating dedicated dashcams at a later stage. The AI-generated assessments are intended to facilitate the documentation of maintenance requirements while still relying on professional engineers to verify reported defects against AI findings.

Engineer Involvement and Verification Protocol

Engineers are expected to review all AI-generated assessments to ensure accuracy. If discrepancies arise between the AI findings and the engineers’ assessments, such differences will be scrutinised during the field-validation phase. A verification and review protocol will be established to ensure the reliability of the AI system before it is implemented on a broader scale.

The Ministry is also exploring the feasibility of conducting quarterly road assessments as part of a proposed technology-enabled maintenance framework. However, this frequency has yet to be confirmed. Moreover, existing contractual provisions related to maintenance and the Defects Liability Period, which spans five years from project completion, are set to remain in place, holding contractors accountable for addressing defects and performing routine maintenance during this period.

The initial phase of trials commenced earlier in 2026, covering six roads in cities such as Pune, Lucknow, Kamrup in Assam, and Ri-Bhoi in Meghalaya. Following this, an improved model has subsequently been tested on seven additional roads located in Kanpur district and Bhopal district’s Berasia block. The broader implementation of this AI system will depend on the successful outcomes of the national validation exercise, in addition to its operational readiness and necessary approvals.

Broader Implications of AI in Road Management

This initiative underscores the growing integration of AI technologies in road management across India. In a related development, the Delhi government has announced plans for an AI-driven traffic and safety audit covering over 420 km of roads in South Delhi. This audit seeks to analyse congestion hotspots, identify bottlenecks, and examine accident-prone areas, showcasing the increasing reliance on advanced technologies to enhance urban infrastructure.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share