IIT Madras and C-DAC to Manage National Bridge Health Monitoring Software

Key Facts

• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways plans to centralise the National Bridge Health Monitoring Software, managed by IIT Madras and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).
• The National Bridge Health Monitoring System is a sensor-based framework that continuously monitors structural health parameters of bridges on the national highway network, including movement, stress, and vibration.
• The ministry has mandated separate competitive bidding for the supply, installation, and maintenance of sensors through a new Model Request for Proposal (RFP) to be used in forthcoming projects.
• All contracts involving Bridge Health Monitoring Systems in highway projects where physical construction has not started will have existing components removed and be re-tendered.
• Road-owning agencies such as state Public Works Departments, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) must complete a comprehensive digital inventory survey of bridges nationwide by September 30, 2026.
• Agencies with ongoing sensor installations may continue under existing contracts but must submit details to the Ministry’s Standards and Research Wing within 30 days.
• Recent significant bridge collapses cited include the Morbi suspension bridge collapse in Gujarat (October 2022) and the Gambhira Bridge collapse in Gujarat (July 2025).

Background & Context

The Bridge Health Monitoring System uses sensors installed on critical bridge components to collect real-time data on structural health, enabling early detection of potential failures. The decentralised monitoring system faced challenges of inconsistent data collection and maintenance. Centralisation under IIT Madras and C-DAC aims to create a unified software platform to handle and analyse sensor data from all monitored bridges across the national highways, thus standardising procedures and enhancing safety protocols.

Why This Matters for Exams / Exam Relevance

This initiative illustrates recent government efforts to modernise infrastructure safety management using technology, an important topic for exams relating to current affairs, public administration, and infrastructure development. Understanding the roles of IIT Madras and C-DAC in government technology projects, the functioning of bridge health monitoring systems, and the involvement of various road-owning agencies is essential. Additionally, noting significant bridge disaster incidents, timelines for bridge inventory digitisation, and competitive procurement policies enhances exam preparedness.

Points to Remember

• The National Bridge Health Monitoring Software is being centralised by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways with IIT Madras and C-DAC managing the software and data.
• The system continuously monitors bridge health using sensor data including movement, stress, and vibration.
• Separate competitive bidding for sensor supply, installation, and maintenance will be conducted via a unified Model Request for Proposal.
• All relevant contracts without physical work started must re-tender Bridge Health Monitoring System components.
• Nationwide digital inventory of bridges must be completed by road-owning agencies by 30 September 2026.
• Recent bridge collapses cited are Morbi suspension bridge (October 2022) and Gambhira Bridge (July 2025), both in Gujarat.
• Key agencies include State Public Works Departments, NHAI (a statutory authority under the Ministry), NHIDCL, and BRO (which works in strategic border areas).