**Executive Summary**
The Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) and the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen digital security and forensic reliability for National Highway operations and digital platforms. The MoU, signed on February 2, 2026, aims to foster collaboration in research, training, and consultancy, particularly in cyber forensics and advanced technological applications related to National Highway management. The MoU is valid for three years.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Purpose of the MoU:**
* Strengthen cyber security frameworks and forensic reliability in National Highway operations.
* Facilitate academic and research-oriented cooperation between IHMCL and NFSU.
* Enhance knowledge creation, technological resilience, and institutional capacity building.
* **NFSU Responsibilities:**
* Provide technical guidance and support to IHMCL for developing state-of-the-art laboratories for CCTV, multimedia, audio-video, digital, and cyber forensics analysis.
* Support IHMCL in strengthening cyber resilience and evidence integrity.
* Provide specialized training programs in cyber & digital forensics, multimedia analysis, and related domains.
* **Areas of Collaboration:**
* Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF).
* Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS).
* Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR).
* Traffic Management Systems (TMS) and Weigh-in-Motion (WIM).
* 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.
* Establishment of Security Operations Centre (SOC) services and forensic validation laboratories.
* **Other Provisions:**
* Both organizations will undertake joint research, development, and consultancy projects.
* Each organization will nominate a coordinator to oversee implementation and review progress.
* The MoU will remain valid for three years.
**Impact Analysis**
**IHMCL**
* **Impact:** Will benefit from technical expertise and resources of NFSU to enhance cybersecurity, forensic capabilities, and technological advancements in managing National Highways.
* **Action Required:** Nominate a coordinator to oversee implementation and periodically review progress of the MoU.
**NFSU**
* **Impact:** Can apply its expertise in forensic sciences and cybersecurity to real-world infrastructure management, contributing to improved security and efficiency of National Highway operations.
* **Action Required:** Provide technical guidance and support to IHMCL. Nominate a coordinator to oversee implementation and periodically review progress of the MoU.
**NHAI**
* **Impact:** The MoU strengthens digital ecosystems which contribute to more secure and robust National Highway operations
* **Action Required:** Ensure the MoU's objectives align with the broader goals of enhancing National Highway infrastructure across the country.
Key Entities Referenced
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI): An autonomous agency of the Government of India, responsible for the development, maintenance and management of the National Highways in India.
National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU): An Institution of National Importance, focusing on forensic science, cyber security and related fields.
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU): Agreement between NHAI and NFSU to collaborate on strengthening digital security and data protection for National Highway management, including research, training, and consultancy.
Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL): A company promoted by NHAI, involved in managing and maintaining National Highways.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
NHAI Signs MoU with NFSU to Strengthen Digital
Security for National Highway Management
Collaboration will strengthen cyber security frameworks and
forensic reliability in National Highway operations and digital
platforms
Posted On: 02 FEB 2026 6:54PM by PIB Delhi
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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