Kerala Highway Research Institute
Kerala Highway Research Institute, Kariyavattom, Thiruvananthapuram is the only research institute under the Kerala Public Works Department. According to the Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways (MSRTH) guidelines, each state shall have one Research Institute connected with quality control of Roads, Highways etc. Accordingly, Kerala highway Research Institute was established in 1972 at Barrack building at Palayam (P.M.G.), Thiruvananthapuram and is now under the Chief Engineer (Operations), DRIQ Board, PWD as per G.O.(MS)57/86/PW&T dtd. 20th May 1986. From 1994 onwards, the Institution has been shifted to the new building at University Campus, Kariavattom. The Institute is situated in a 3.24 hectare campus leased from the University of Kerala.
Mission
The major objectives and functions of the Institute are
- To impart quality control in PWD by carrying out laboratory and field tests of all types of Building and Pavement materials
- Undertake applied research works (R&D works)
- To function as a regular training Institute.
Functions
The major areas of activity of the organisation are as follows:
- Centre of Excellence in Training
- Quality Control & Testing
- Research Activities
- Data Collection, Feasibility Studies & DPR preparation
The main objectives of KHRI are to cater the needs of all the wings of PWD in carrying out Laboratory tests and Field-testing of samples of Building Materials like aggregates, Bitumen., concrete, Soil, Bricks, Tiles, Steel etc. It carries out mix design for concrete as well as Bitumen mixtures of various Engineering applications; undertake applied research work in the Traffic and Transportation Engineering, Geotextiles, Bitumen and concrete structures.
The long term objectives include continuous training for PWD Staff on various topics through coordination of PWD HRD cell, updating of Laboratory equipments and improvisation of infrastructure to the arising needs, and to develop as a “centre for excellence in training” & “act as monitoring and certifying body for all Quality Control Tests conducted within PWD throughout Kerala”.
