The Centre is preparing to bring artificial intelligence (AI) into road management, using the technology to identify landslide-prone stretches, water-logging and accident black spots along national highways. Road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari said on August 21 that a circular has already been issued for the move.
A `black spot' on a highway refers to a specific section of road, typically 500 metres long, where a disproportionately high number of road accidents, especially those involving fatalities or serious injuries, have occurred over a set period, usually three years. These locations are identified as high-risk areas due to various factors contributing to accidents, such as poor road design, inadequate signage, or hazardous road geometry.
According to the minister, the technology will be particularly important in hill states such as Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, where highways are frequently hit by landslides and floods. AI and other digital tools will also be used to check the strength of bridges and other structures.
The plan is to make highway management less reactive and more preventive. Spotting risks in advance could help reduce disruption, though officials admit much will depend on how quickly the technology is adopted across states.
Alongside safety, the ministry is also targeting a sharp cut in India’s logistics cost. At present, logistics account for about 16% of the country’s GDP. Gadkari said a recent study indicated a 6% reduction, and he expressed confidence that by December 2025 the cost could fall to single digits.
If achieved, India’s logistics costs would be closer to levels seen in China at around 8% and in the US and Europe at 12%. Lower costs are expected to make exports more competitive, though how soon the benefits reach businesses remains open to question.
The push is being linked to India’s larger growth ambition. As Gadkari noted, achieving a $5 trillion economy requires stronger infrastructure. Using AI in road safety and trimming logistics costs are being positioned as part of that effort.
For now, the government is placing its bets on technology and real-time monitoring, but the effectiveness of these measures will only become clear once implemented.
