Bridge construction in India has witnessed significant progress, evolving from basic concrete structures to advanced engineering marvels. Notable
examples include the Bandra-Worli Sea Link in Mumbai and the Dhola-Sadiya bridge in the Northeast, which now stand as strong symbols of technological prowess and national connectivity. With an increasing emphasis on multimodal transport, modern bridges now serve diverse functions, seamlessly integrating rail, road and water networks while efficiently managing rising traffic volumes.
Government-backed initiatives, particularly
the Bharatmala Pariyojana, have accelerated on-ground development. A large number of bridges have already been completed, with many others at various stages of planning and approval. The pace of capacity expansion has improved. Today, upcoming projects are focused not only on linking remote regions but also on becoming tourist attractions. Moreover, there is extensive focus on post-
construction maintenance.
Complementing this momentum is a supportive policy environment. As an essential part of the road sector, bridge construction is guided by well-structured policies aimed at achieving desirable outcomes. Recent policy announcements are expected to yield tangible benefits in the coming years. Meanwhile, new funding avenues have emerged and translated into active investments. To this end, multilateral agencies have played a key role by offering both financial backing and technical know-how.
Concurrently, sustainability has emerged as a core principle in modern bridge projects. The use of smart construction materials has gained traction, and adherence to rigorous safety standards remains a top priority.
Projects such as the newly operational Pamban bridge have further elevated India’s infrastructure profile, attracting attention from global investors. The government continues to focus on the modernisation and mechanisation of these bridges, reflected in the roll-out of digital tools, web portals and mobile applications that streamline project operations. Together, these efforts signal a transformative phase for Indian bridges, one marked by innovation, resilience and long-term vision.
Building for the future
Decarbonisation efforts have gained momentum. The sector is adopting innovative practices, techniques and materials to mitigate environmental impact and improve the long-term viability of projects. In this context, bitumen, fly ash, plastic waste and geosynthetics have not only enhanced durability and sustainability, but have also addressed broader issues such as resource scarcity and carbon emissions reduction. For instance, India’s first-ever eco-bridge, constructed on the Kala dhungi-Nainital road, is designed with facilities to safeguard small animals, addressing real-world needs such as wildlife conservation. However, the wider adoption of such practices is contingent upon supportive policies that incentivise contractors to adopt cutting-edge, eco-friendly technologies.
As bridges cannot embrace a one-size-fits-all approach, there is also increasing focus on selecting materials and techniques suited to specific site conditions. For instance, since the Chenab railway bridge is in the vicinity of the snow-clad Himalayan mountains, which often experience sub-zero temperatures, a special steel was adopted to ensure the long life of the structure. A site-specific response spectrum was developed, based on which the dynamic analysis of structure and ductile detailing was performed for the most seismically active area – Zone V.
Digital disruption becomes a talking point
Digital tools and technologies have been deployed to enhance productivity, streamline operations and ensure safety. Artificial intelligence, virtual reality, drones, site robots, and other smart construction techniques and concepts are now being integrated across almost all construction sites. For instance, building
information modelling was used during the construction of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link in Mumbai. Another frequently implemented smart construction technology used in bridge design is drones equipped with light detection and ranging sensors and global positioning systems. Bridging the digital divide and launching systems to ensure sound asset maintenance have been among the key focus areas. As bridge designs become more complicated,
robust computer-aided software will be needed.
Bridge safety has become a focus area for various research organisations, including IITs. In a welcome move, a research team from IIT Mandi developed an innovative method to monitor the health of ageing bridges using traffic data. This approach develops a digital model of the bridge, a detailed virtual replica based on an initial study of the actual structure. The model predicts how different traffic patterns impact various parts of the bridge over time, helping experts identify areas most susceptible to damage. After pinpointing these critical zones, fatigue-sensitive sensors are installed at key locations to monitor stress and vibrations. This real-time data, combined with traffic patterns from the digital model, allows experts to track how traffic affects the bridge.
For government agencies and transportation departments, this approach offers a practical and efficient solution for managing ageing infrastructure. It enables more effective budget allocation by focusing on high-risk areas rather than the entire bridge and supports faster decision-making in emergencies, enhancing public safety. Moreover, many research organisations and start-ups focusing on safety have helped improve bridge asset health across the country.
Climate crisis exposes structural vulnerabilities; policy initiatives help tide over consequences
Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, hurricanes and floods, damage or destroy bridges, necessitating reconstruction and repair efforts. These extreme weather conditions have escalated bridge collapses. The performance deterioration of these components during their operational phase has highlighted the need for climate-adaptive management strategies. Changes in environmental factors such as temperature, humidity and chloride content can accelerate the corrosive deterioration of bridges.
In the road sector, well-crafted, clear policies serve as the bedrock, which ensures that new initiatives stay on course. To this end, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has mandated the use of high-tensile stainless steel in bridge construction for national highways and central projects, particularly in coastal areas exposed to harsh marine environments. This mandate, applicable to both ongoing and future projects, aims to enforce higher material standards and significantly enhance the longevity of bridges.
To ensure compliance, the ministry has instructed state and central road construction agencies to incorporate this requirement into Schedule D of their contracts. This directive is now in force across key implementing bodies, including the National Highways Authority of India, the Border Roads Organisation, public works departments and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation of India.
It is encouraging to see India taking proactive measures towards ensuring asset resilience in the face of climate change, especially for a niche segment like bridges. With durability now taking centre stage in planning, this will undoubtedly enhance asset quality.
Bigger prospects and bolder plans
Going ahead, there are vast opportunities, given the large pipeline of projects. In recent years, states have been placing high priority on the country’s road infrastructure creation agenda, which includes the development of an efficient, well-connected bridge network. Bridges such as the Pamban bridge are already on par with global standards. As is the case with all infrastructure projects, timely project execution is the need of the hour. A positive aspect is that problems such as talent shortage have been identified, and concrete steps are being taken to turn things around. The pace of future awards and progress on existing projects looks promising, as state governments are now playing a proactive role.
In terms of the evolving policy structure, taking into account sector-specific requirements is key to growth. Regulatory intent seems to be strong, but stringent on-ground implementation will be crucial. The sector is also expected to witness a higher uptake of efficient and cost-effective construction techniques, innovative materials and advanced digital technologies. Customer centricity is anticipated to be a top priority, with a focus on safer bridges and improved last-mile connectivity.
To mitigate future disasters, there will be a focus on designing and retrofitting bridges to be more resilient, leading to demand for such projects. This will propel the growth of the bridge segment. Government funding is allocated for infrastructure repair and rebuilding after major disasters, further boosting the bridge construction industry.
Additionally, the government is planning investments to the tune of Rs 143 trillion for infrastructure development by 2030. This financial commitment will open up major opportunities for contractors, developers and consultants.
Harman Mangat
