MQCVs are transforming India’s road building; pilot projects are underway in 4 states.

New Delhi, February 23, 2026: As India builds roads at an unprecedented pace, the Mobile Quality Control Vans (MQCVs) are turning out to be a lens for the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to keep an eye on the quality construction on the national highways.    

In a decisive step to monitor road construction, MoRTH has implemented a pilot project across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka and Odisha, marking a shift from reactive inspections to real-time, on-site quality assurance.

The goal is simple and sharply defined to enable quick diagnosis of construction quality during ongoing National Highway works and ensure corrective action before defects become permanent.

MoRTH is looking forward to high-tech labs through MQCVs:

Each mobile quality control van functions as a fully equipped, on-the-move laboratory, carrying advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) instruments that allow engineers to assess quality without disrupting construction activity.

Each van is being equipped with ultrasonic pulse velocity tests, sending sound waves through concrete to detect hidden cracks, voids, or internal flaws.

It also has asphalt density gauges, portable non-nuclear devices ensuring proper compaction for pavement durability.

The soil and granular density tests will verify the stability of sub-base layers critical for long-lasting highways.

The reflectometers will measure the visibility of road signs and markings to ensure driver safety day and night.

Together, these tools convert quality control from a post-construction audit into a proactive, real-time safeguard for safety and durability.

Test results generated by MQCVs are shared directly with MoRTH’s field officers.

If quality deficiencies are detected, immediate corrective action is initiated at the site level.

As the pilot transitions into its next phase, MoRTH is developing a National Highway Quality Monitoring Portal, which will host test reports generated by MQCVs, enabling real-time GPS tracking of mobile vans, and provide transparent and data-backed oversight of highway quality across the country.

This digital layer ensures that quality monitoring is not only scientific but also traceable and accountable.

Expansion planned across 11 states:  

Encouraged by the pilot’s success, MoRTH has planned the next phase of MQCV deployment across additional states, including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and Meghalaya.

Tenders for this expansion have already been invited, and the new fleet of MQCVs is expected to be commissioned by June 2026.

With MQCVs, India’s highway program is enabling quality assurance at the heart of construction, not as an afterthought.

The message is clear: speed will no longer come at the cost of safety or durability.

As India builds highways faster than ever before, these mobile labs ensure they are also built stronger, safer, and with accountability at their core.

Also Read: NHAI to develop ‘bee corridors’ along National Highways to support pollinator conservation.

EOM.