TransportEconomics – NHAI Partners With NCAER to Launch Dedicated Transport Research Centre
TransportEconomics – India is set to witness a major step forward in transport sector research with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) announcing the establishment of the country’s first independent and permanent centre dedicated to transportation economics, mobility and logistics studies. The new institution will be housed at the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) in New Delhi and is expected to strengthen data-driven policymaking across the road transport ecosystem.
Agreement Signed for Long-Term Research Collaboration
To formalise the initiative, NHAI and NCAER have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The project will be financed by NHAI, while NCAER will work with partner organisations and research institutions to broaden the centre’s academic and analytical capabilities.
According to officials from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the initiative reflects a growing emphasis on integrating research, analytics and evidence-based decision-making into the planning and management of India’s expanding highway network. The centre is expected to serve as a dedicated platform for generating insights that can support future infrastructure development.
Focus on Transport and Highway Economics
The research facility will undertake applied economic studies aimed at improving long-term planning, investment strategies and policy formulation in the transport sector. Its work will cover a broad range of subjects linked to national highways and logistics systems.
Key areas of study will include highway economics, freight movement, multimodal transport integration, regional economic impacts of infrastructure projects, tolling frameworks, asset monetisation strategies, road safety measures and the adoption of technology in highway operations and maintenance.
Officials believe that research findings generated by the centre will help policymakers make informed decisions while improving efficiency, sustainability and overall service quality within the transport sector.
Knowledge Hub for Policymakers and Researchers
Apart from conducting research, the centre will also function as a knowledge-sharing platform. It plans to disseminate findings through policy papers, analytical reports, working documents, workshops, consultations and academic interactions.
The institution is also expected to contribute to capacity building in transportation economics by encouraging dialogue among researchers, government agencies, industry stakeholders and academic experts. This approach is aimed at creating a stronger foundation for informed policy discussions and long-term sectoral planning.
Expert Committees to Guide Operations
The centre’s activities will be guided by an Advisory Committee comprising economists, transport specialists, public policy experts and academics. Senior representatives, including NHAI’s Member (Finance) and the Director General of NCAER, will also be part of the advisory framework.
In addition, a Steering Committee established by NHAI will oversee research priorities and monitor outputs to ensure that studies remain aligned with national transport objectives. NHAI has committed support for the institution over a period of ten years, highlighting its long-term vision for strengthening research-based infrastructure planning.
NHAI Highlights Strategic Importance
NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav said the authority has consistently focused on improving national connectivity and logistics efficiency. He noted that the collaboration with NCAER would provide a specialised platform for high-quality research and policy analysis.
According to him, the initiative is expected to support better planning, investment decisions and asset management practices, helping India build a more efficient and sustainable transportation network in the years ahead.