To improve accountability and assess the quality of construction and maintenance on National Highways, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced a comprehensive rating system for the concessionaires involved in these projects.

The new rating methodology will assess concessionaires every six months, and the results will be made publicly available on the NHAI website and its social media channels. The evaluation will focus on two key factors: the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) and defect rectification compliance monitored via the NHAI One App, where over 95 different defects can be reported and tracked.

The rating system will assign 80% of the weightage to the PCI, a scientific metric ranging from 0 (failed) to 100 (excellent), based on parameters like roughness, potholes, cracking, ravelling, rut depth, and patchwork. This data will be collected using advanced technology, including Laser Crack Measurement Systems and Network Survey Vehicles (NSVs), under the supervision of a dedicated NHAI team. The remaining 20% will be based on defect rectification compliance through the NHAI One App.

Concessionaires will be rated at both the individual project level and the overall concessionaire level. Those who score less than 70 out of 100 will be classified as "non-performers," making them ineligible to secure new National Highway projects until their ratings improve.

NHAI aims to establish a transparent framework for performance evaluation, which will help set new standards for quality in the construction and management of National Highways, ensuring a safer and smoother travel experience for users.