---
title: "NHAI to Retrofit 31 Tamil Nadu Highways with IoT-Enabled Lighting Systems"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/nhai-to-retrofit-31-tamil-nadu-highways-with-iot-enabled-lighting-systems-8cbbi
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
section: India
published: 2026-07-31T06:57:31.000Z
modified: 2026-07-31T09:01:37.519Z
language: en-IN
---

# NHAI to Retrofit 31 Tamil Nadu Highways with IoT-Enabled Lighting Systems

The National Highways Authority of India has launched a procurement process to automate illumination across 31 major routes. New smart infrastructure will replace manual switching to improve nocturnal road safety and maintenance oversight.

## Key takeaways

- NHAI has called for tenders to install automated smart lighting systems across 31 National Highway stretches in Tamil Nadu.
- The new IoT-based infrastructure allows officials to monitor light status online and identify hardware failures instantly.
- Contractors have a one-year deadline to complete the installation and testing phase, with work expected to start in October.
- The initiative follows a successful 95-km pilot project on the Chennai-Tiruchi National Highway between Tambaram and Tindivanam.

## Digitizing Nighttime Infrastructure

Motorists navigating northern and central Tamil Nadu will soon experience enhanced visibility as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) shifts toward automated illumination. The agency has issued tenders for the deployment of smart lighting systems across 31 highways, moving away from labor-intensive manual operations. This technological upgrade ensures that lights activate at dusk and deactivate at dawn, with schedules dynamically adjusting to seasonal shifts in daylight hours.

## Centralized Monitoring and Rapid Maintenance

A primary advantage of the new Internet of Things (IoT) framework is real-time performance tracking. Officials confirmed that maintenance crews and supervisors will monitor the network via online portals, allowing for the immediate detection and replacement of malfunctioning bulbs or switches. This unified approach replaces fragmented oversight with a streamlined system. Key implementation details include:
- A single competitive tender will determine the contractor based on product quality and cost-efficiency.
- Construction is scheduled to begin in October, following the selection process.
- The winning bidder has a 12-month window to finalize installation and rigorous testing.

## Success in Pilot Stages and Public Reception

The decision to expand follows a proven 95-km trial run between Tambaram and Tindivanam on the Chennai-Tiruchi National Highway. That pilot demonstrated that IoT-based systems significantly boost visibility at critical junctions and residential settlements. Frequent travelers, such as Sholinganallur resident Narayanan Ram, have advocated for the project to include the replacement of aging infrastructure—some over two decades old—and expanded coverage at cattle crossings and high-pedestrian zones. While current initiatives focus on intercity routes, there is growing public demand for similar smart lighting standards within urban centers where existing streetlights often fail to meet safety requirements.

Source: The Hindu — National

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Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/nhai-to-retrofit-31-tamil-nadu-highways-with-iot-enabled-lighting-systems-8cbbi
Reported from: The Hindu — National