GNDU signs pact with NHAI for safer highways

Guru Nanak Dev University officials with NHAI authorities after signing an MoU in Amritsar on Thursday. Tribune photo

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 29

Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to conduct innovative research on different aspects, including highway design, safety and beautification.

The GNDU will conduct research on around 137 km length of the national highways passing through Pathankot, Gurdaspur and Amritsar districts.

Faculty of the GNDU and its scholars would conduct research on NH-3 (Amritsar-Wagha Border Section) and NH 54 (Pathankot-Amritsar section) on the aspects of geometric and pavement design, road safety audits and beautification plans. V-C Prof Jaspal Singh Sandhu said the university experts would suggest innovative ways to improve road sections and junction designs, pavement materials, installation of traffic control and regulation devices to improve safety standards. Innovative urban design elements along the highways would be proposed to make the highways attractive to commuters.

Department of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering would be working collectively in the research efforts. “State-of-the-art research labs on material testing, safety and design are proposed to be established in the university with the help of the NHAI. Students and researchers will get financial assistance from the NHAI to conduct their research. The NHAI will also offer stipend based internship/training to campus students,” he said.

Prof SS Behl, Dean Academic Affairs, Sunil Yadav, Project Director, NHAI, Amritsar, and Dr KS Kahlon, Registrar, among others, were present on the occasion.