The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research’s Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) held a one-day workshop on 24 August 2026 to discuss how India manages and maintains its road networks. The event, organised with support from the Ministry of Education under the Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC), brought together academics, road professionals and industry experts to share knowledge on modern approaches to road upkeep and planning.
What was discussed
The workshop centred on Road Asset Management Systems (RAMS) and how data and analysis can improve decisions about which roads need maintenance and when. Participants explored several practical areas:
- How road agencies currently manage road assets and the challenges they face in practice
- Technologies and industry solutions available for tracking road conditions
- Methods for collecting road data and calculating the total cost of maintaining roads over their entire lifespan
- A Life-Cycle Cost Analysis Tool designed specifically for Indian roads, which helps planners understand long-term spending needs
The workshop also held a panel discussion where experts from universities, government and industry discussed how to move from testing these systems to making them standard practice across India’s road management agencies.
What this means for you
This workshop matters because it addresses how India maintains one of its most important public systems. Better road asset management means road agencies can make smarter choices about which roads to repair first, potentially extending road life and saving public money. By adopting data-driven approaches, India could improve road safety and mobility for commuters while making more efficient use of maintenance budgets.