**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is implementing a pilot project using Mobile Quality Control Vans (MQCV) to monitor construction quality on National Highways, initially in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Odisha. This initiative aims to shift the focus from simply expanding road networks to ensuring world-class quality, safety, and reliability. The next phase, expanding to 11 additional states, is expected to be commissioned by June 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Purpose and Implementation:**
* MoRTH is using MQCVs to quickly diagnose the quality of ongoing National Highways works.
* The pilot project has been implemented across four states: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Odisha.
* **Mobile Quality Control Vans (MQCVs):**
* MQCVs function as on-the-move laboratories equipped with non-destructive testing instruments.
* Instruments include ultrasonic pulse velocity meters, rebound hammers, asphalt density gauges, and reflectometers.
* MQCVs allow quality to be checked without disrupting construction.
* **Testing Instruments and Their Use:**
* *Rebound hammers:* Assess surface hardness and estimate the strength of hardened concrete structures.
* *Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity meter:* Sends sound waves through concrete, revealing hidden cracks, voids, and inconsistencies.
* *Asphalt density gauges:* Portable devices for fast, on-site non-nuclear testing to ensure proper asphalt compaction and pavement longevity.
* *Light-Weight Deflectometer:* Helps estimate density of compacted soil and granular sub-base for stable highway bases.
* *Reflectometers:* Assesses the visibility of road signs and markings.
* **Data and Transparency:**
* Test results will be shared by the Ministry with its field offices to take appropriate action on deficiencies.
* MoRTH is developing a National Highway Quality Monitoring Portal to make test reports available online and provide real-time GPS tracking of MQCVs.
* **Expansion Plans:**
* MoRTH plans to expand the MQCV system to 11 additional states.
* The next phase of MQCVs is expected to be commissioned by June 2026.
**Impact Analysis**
**MoRTH Field Offices**
* **Impact**: Responsible for receiving and acting on test results from MQCVs.
* **Action Required**: Take appropriate action on any quality deficiencies identified in the test reports.
**Highway Construction Contractors**
* **Impact**: Increased scrutiny on the quality of their work.
* **Action Required**: Ensure adherence to quality standards to avoid deficiencies and potential corrective actions.
**Citizens/Motorists**
* **Impact**: Improved quality, safety, durability, and reliability of highways.
* **Action Required**: No direct action required, but will benefit from better roads.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH): The government ministry responsible for the pilot project involving Mobile Quality Control Vans (MQCV) to monitor the construction quality of National Highways.
Mobile Quality Control Vans (MQCV): Mobile units used by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) as a pilot project to monitor construction quality on National Highways.
National Highway Quality Monitoring Portal: A portal being developed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to make test reports generated by Mobile Quality Control Vans (MQCV) available online.
Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha: The four states where the Mobile Quality Control Vans (MQCV) pilot project was initially implemented.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Building Roads with Proof, Not Promises: New
Technology That Gets Road Quality Right
Posted On: 23 FEB 2026 6:32PM by PIB Delhi
What if the country’s highways could speak, not in words but through data, diagnostics and decisive
action? As the nation builds roads at an unprecedented scale, the focus is now shifting from just expanding
networks to ensuring world-class quality, safety and reliability.
A clear step in that direction is the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)’s pilot project to
closely monitor construction quality on National Highways using Mobile Quality Control Vans (MQCV).
The pilot has been implemented across four states —Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka and Odisha.
The goal is simple and focused
These Mobile Quality Control Vans will be used for quick diagnosis of quality of ongoing National
Highways works. Each mobile van functions as a on-the-move laboratory, fully equipped with non-
destructive testing instruments. This Van includes ultrasonic pulse velocity meters, rebound hammers,
asphalt density gauges and reflectometers, among others.
Mobile Quality Control Vans: Taking Labs to the Highway
At the heart of MQCVs lies a suite of advanced non-destructive testing instruments that allow quality to
be checked without disrupting construction.
Rebound hammers: This test is used to assess the surface hardness and estimate the strength of hardened
concrete structures on-site.
Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity meter: It sends sound waves through concrete, revealing hidden cracks, voids
and inconsistencies.Asphalt density gauges: These are portable devices that allow for fast, on-site non-nuclear testing to
ensure proper asphalt compaction and pavement longevity.
Light-Weight Deflectometer: It helps estimate density of compacted soil and granular sub-base to
ensure stable base for long-lasting highways.
Reflectometers: It assesses the visibility of road signs and markings, ensuring they remain clearly
readable for motorists, day and night.
Together, these technologies transform quality control from a reactive process into a proactive, on-site
assurance of safety, durability and reliability on India’s highways.
The test results will be shared by the Ministry with its field offices and in case of any quality deficiencies
being found, the field office will take appropriate action. As the pilot project moves into its next phase, the
Ministry is developing a National Highway Quality Monitoring Portal that will make test reports
generated by these vans available online. The portal provides real-time GPS tracking of the mobile vans,
enabling transparent monitoring and data-driven oversight of quality checks across National Highways.
Towards the next phase
This mobile quality control system is set to expand to more states: MoRTH has already planned the next
phase of MQCVs across 11 States which included Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra
Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam & Meghalaya. Tenders for the
next phase of MQCVs have already been invited and are expected to be commissioned by June, 2026
reinforcing a simple promise that India’s highways will be built not just faster but also with accountability
at its core.*****
GDH/HJ
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