New Delhi: In a significant move aimed at strengthening evidence-based policymaking and promoting high-quality research in the road transportation sector, 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 at NCAER.
The NHAI Centre for Economics of Transportation, Mobility and Logistics will be India’s first permanent and independent research centre dedicated exclusively to the economics of transportation, mobility and logistics.
The NHAI Centre for Economics of Transportation, Mobility and Logistics has been established with a founding contribution from NHAI, while NCAER has committed to mobilising additional support from allied institutions and partners.
The MoU was signed at NHAI Headquarters in the presence of NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav, Director General of NCAER, and senior officials from both organisations.
The initiative marks a first-of-its-kind effort and reflects NHAI’s commitment to integrating research, data analytics and evidence-based decision-making into the development and management of the country’s rapidly expanding National Highway infrastructure.
Speaking on the occasion, NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav said, “NHAI has been at the forefront of enhancing national connectivity and logistics efficiency.
This partnership with NCAER will create a dedicated platform for high-quality research and policy analysis, helping strengthen planning, investment and asset management decisions in the transportation sector.”
The NHAI Centre for Economics of Transportation, Mobility and Logistics will function as a dedicated platform for undertaking applied economic research in transportation, mobility and logistics.
The Centre will focus on generating actionable insights to support long-term planning, investment strategies and policy formulation in the road and transport sector.
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Research undertaken by the Centre will cover a broad range of thematic areas, including National Highway economics, freight logistics, modal integration, regional economic impacts of National Highway investments, toll policy, asset monetisation, road safety interventions, technology adoption in National Highway operations and maintenance.
The findings and research outputs generated by the NHAI Centre for Economics of Transportation, Mobility and Logistics will support the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, NHAI and other government agencies in designing policies and programmes aimed at enhancing efficiency, sustainability and user experience across the transportation ecosystem.
Apart from conducting research, the Centre will also serve as a knowledge hub for the transportation sector by disseminating findings through policy briefs, working papers, flagship reports, stakeholder consultations, workshops and academic engagements.
Additionally, it will contribute towards developing future talent and strengthening institutional capacity in transportation economics.
The Centre will be guided by an Advisory Committee comprising leading economists, transportation specialists, public policy experts and eminent academicians, along with NHAI’s Member (Finance) and the Director General of NCAER.
Furthermore, a Steering Committee constituted by NHAI will oversee research priorities, review outputs and ensure alignment with the Authority’s policy and operational requirements.
NHAI will provide support for establishing and operating the institution for a period of ten years.
By fostering a deeper understanding of the economic dimensions of transportation infrastructure, mobility systems and logistics networks, the NHAI Centre for Economics of Transportation, Mobility and Logistics is expected to support informed decision-making, improve policy effectiveness and contribute to the development of a robust, modern and world-class National Highway network in India.
