New Delhi | Developing climate-resilient road infrastructure in the geologically fragile Himalayan region remains a major challenge due to complex terrain, slope instability and recurring natural disasters, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said on Thursday.

Addressing a workshop on 'Resilient NH Infrastructure in Hilly Terrain', Gadkari emphasised that sustained efforts are being undertaken through the adoption of global best practices and advanced technologies.

He said that key initiatives include MoUs with THDC India Limited for specialised landslide treatment in Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh, and with the Geological Survey of India for geological investigations and data sharing for tunnel and corridor projects.

Collaboration with the National Institute of Rock Mechanics focuses on geotechnical scrutiny, design validation, tunnel safety audits, instrumentation monitoring and capacity building, the road transport and highways minister added.

He further stated that a policy decision has been taken to prioritize slope stabilization before commencement of road construction in hilly terrain to ensure long-term safety and durability.

Gadkari said support is also being extended to the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee for developing guidelines on hillslope instability using real-time monitoring systems.

Additionally, an MoU has been signed for the deployment of InSAR-based landslide monitoring and early warning systems along a 100-km stretch of the Chardham route in Uttarakhand.

Gadkari also underlined that extensive topographical surveys using advanced technologies such as LiDAR and UAVs are being undertaken, integrating landslide susceptibility mapping and historical data into DPR preparation.