The National Highways Authority of India and NCAER have partnered to establish India’s first dedicated research centre focused on transportation, mobility and logistics economics.

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• The National Highways Authority of India signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Council of Applied Economic Research on 24 June 2026.
• The partnership will establish India’s first permanent and independent research centre dedicated exclusively to transportation, mobility and logistics economics.
• The centre will function as a platform for applied economic research aimed at supporting evidence-based planning, investment decisions and policy formulation.
• Research activities will focus on national highway economics, freight logistics, multimodal transport integration and regional economic impacts of infrastructure development.
• Key study areas will also include toll policy, asset monetization, road safety measures and technology adoption in highway operations and maintenance.
• The centre is expected to generate actionable insights that strengthen transport sector efficiency, improve connectivity and support long-term economic growth.
• An advisory committee comprising economists, transport specialists, policy experts, academicians and institutional representatives will guide research priorities.
• The initiative reflects India’s growing emphasis on data-driven infrastructure planning and sustainable development of transportation and logistics networks.