CSIR–Central Road Research Institute (CSIR–CRRI), New Delhi, today marked another significant milestone in advancing sustainable urban road infrastructure with the flag-off of the newly procured Indigenous Network Survey Vehicle (NSV) by Dr. Ch. Ravi Sekhar, Director, CSIR–CRRI. The event also marked the commencement of field surveys under the project titled "Implementation of the Standard Framework for Paving and Greening of Urban Roads in Delhi NCR."

The flag-off ceremony was held at the CSIR–CRRI Main Building by and attended by Dr.Ch.Ravi Sekhar, Director, CSIR-CRRI and Dr.Thallada Bhaskar, Director, CSIR-AMPRI, Bhopal and HoDs, senior scientists, officials, engineers and staff members of the Institute. The newly inducted Network Survey Vehicle will be deployed for comprehensive condition assessment of urban roads across Delhi NCR, providing scientific, accurate and data-driven inputs for road asset management and sustainable urban infrastructure planning.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. C. Ravi Sekhar, Director, CSIR–CRRI, stated that the deployment of the indigenous Network Survey Vehicle reflects CSIR–CRRI's commitment to developing and deploying advanced technologies for smarter and more sustainable road infrastructure. He emphasized that scientific assessment of existing road conditions is essential for planning durable pavements, improving mobility, reducing maintenance costs and supporting environmentally responsible urban development.

The field survey forms an important component of the project "Implementation of the Standard Framework for Paving and Greening of Urban Roads in Delhi NCR," being implemented by CSIR–CRRI in collaboration with the Public Works Department (PWD), Government of NCT of Delhi, under a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA). The project is being undertaken in accordance with the framework of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for improving urban road infrastructure and mitigating dust pollution across the National Capital Region. This initiative forms part of a larger effort to implement the CAQM framework across NCR states. Under the project, CSIR-CRRI and SPA New Delhi will jointly undertake activities covering four major work packages: development of space standards and road cross-sections, mitigation of road dust through greening measures within the right-of-way, implementation of Road Asset Management Systems (RAMS) for improved maintenance practices, and promotion of innovative technologies for road construction.

The Network Survey Vehicle integrates state-of-the-art technologies, including high-speed laser profiling, UHD imaging systems, GPS/GNSS positioning, automated pavement distress mapping and AI-enabled data analytics. These capabilities enable rapid, non-contact assessment of pavement condition, road roughness, surface distress, drainage, shoulders and roadside assets while minimizing traffic disruption.

The data generated through the surveys will support scientific prioritization of maintenance works, standardized pavement design, improved drainage planning, enhanced road safety and effective monitoring of road conditions. The project is expected to contribute significantly towards reducing fugitive dust emissions, improving pavement quality and promoting sustainable urban mobility in Delhi NCR.

The event concluded with the formal flag-off of the Network Survey Vehicle and the launch of the field survey campaign, reaffirming CSIR–CRRI's leadership in providing innovative scientific solutions for national infrastructure development.

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