To strengthen digital security and data protection, Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), a company promoted by NHAI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), a Government of India Institution of National Importance headquartered in Gandhinagar, Gujarat to foster collaboration in the fields of research, training and consultancy, particularly in cyber forensics, digital evidence integrity and advanced technological applications relevant to the National Highway management. The MoU was signed by Shri A.R. Chitranshi, Chief Operating Officer, IHMCL and Dr. S.O. Junare, Campus Director, NFSU, Gandhinagar in presence of NHAI Chairman, Shri Santosh Kumar Yadav; Shri Vishal Chauhan, Chairman and Managing Director, IHMCL and other senior officials from NHAI, IHMCL and NFSU.

The MoU aims to facilitate mutually beneficial academic and research-oriented cooperation between the two government bodies to enhance knowledge creation, technological resilience and institutional capacity building. The collaboration will contribute towards strengthening cyber security frameworks and forensic reliability in critical National Highway operations and digital platforms.

Under the MoU, NFSU will provide technical guidance and support to IHMCL for the development of laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, including CCTV, multimedia analysis, audio-video analysis and digital as well as cyber forensics laboratories.

In addition, the University will support IHMCL in strengthening cyber resilience and evidence integrity by providing specialized training programs in cyber & digital forensics, multimedia analysis and related domains.

The MoU will focus on enhancing collaboration in areas such as Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF), Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS), Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), Traffic Management Systems (TMS) and Weigh-in-Motion (WIM). Identified areas also include secure camera-based imaging systems, encrypted data storage and retrieval, cybersecurity reviews of critical applications, Evidence integrity and Forensic reliability, scientific improvement of imaging accuracy, and establishment of Security Operations Centre (SOC) services and forensic validation laboratories.

Also, both organizations will undertake joint research, development and consultancy projects in mutually agreed areas. A coordinator will be nominated by each organization to oversee implementation and periodically review progress. The MoU will remain valid for a period of three years.

The MoU reflects NHAI’s focus on advancing secure and robust digital ecosystems that will strengthen rapidly expanding National Highway infrastructure across the country.

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GDH/IY