Old major NH bridges to get smart sensors for early warning alerts

NEW DELHI: For continuous ‘health monitoring’ of major and extra-long old bridges on NHs, highway owning agencies will now install advanced sensors for quick alert in case of abnormal behaviour so that corrective steps can be taken before any mishap.

The road transport ministry has issued a standardised tender document (RFP) for procurement of the continuous structure monitoring system for bridges which the highway owning agencies and their engineers can use to invite bids. This is significant considering that there is a dire need to monitor the behaviour of old major bridges on the country’s NH network.

Officials said while installation of sensors for monitoring of bridge health is part of the new major bridges, a large number of old bridges don’t have them. “We need to ensure that old bridges are monitored continuously. Now regional officers of NHAI, road transport ministry and NHIDCL can use the document to engage firms,” said an official.

The agencies engaged will be responsible for supply, installation, commissioning, and long-term operation and maintenance of advanced instruments designed to track the structural integrity of bridges in real time. This includes deployment of a wide range of sensors, along with hardware for data acquisition, transmission, and reporting, enabling authorities to detect early warning signs of stress, damage, or failure.

As per the document, such works will be divided in two phases — first phase of six months for installation and commissioning of the Bridge Health Monitoring system and second phase will consist of operation and maintenance of the system, ensuring snag-free functioning for a minimum 10 years.