The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 22 September 2026 to create a simplified and time-bound framework for granting approvals for national highway, canal, and pipeline crossings across Gujarat, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.
A central feature of the agreement is the mutual waiver of fees, charges, and other levies by both NHAI and SSNNL for all national highway, canal, and pipeline crossings covered under the MoU. The two agencies say this provision is intended to reduce project costs, eliminate procedural bottlenecks, and optimise the use of public funds.
The MoU also establishes a framework for the early sharing of project information, the adoption of standardised engineering practices, and clearly defined responsibilities for the construction and maintenance of crossing structures. According to the statement, these measures are designed to improve project planning and ensure adherence to quality and operational standards.
The agreement was signed by the Regional Officer-Gandhinagar of NHAI and the Chief Engineer (QC, Tech. & CPC) of SSNNL, in the presence of directors from SSNNL and other officials at Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
The ministry's statement describes the MoU as a milestone in promoting integrated infrastructure planning in Gujarat, saying the collaborative framework is expected to accelerate implementation of both national highway and irrigation infrastructure projects while improving efficiency, implementation timelines, and reducing the overall financial costs associated with project execution.
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