Staff Report
PESHAWAR: Muhammad Sohail Afridi Special Assistant to Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Communication and Works, inaugurated two projects: the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Road Asset Management System (RAMS) Unit and an Artificial Intelligence-based Road Diagnostic Software. The inauguration ceremony was held in Peshawar on Tuesday, where both the RAMS Unit office and the advanced AI-powered Road Diagnostic Software were officially launched.
The ceremony was attended by Secretary Communication and Works Muhammad Israr, RAMS Director Engineer Inayat-ur-Rehman, and representatives from the Communication and Works Department and the SEED Program.
This modern software has been developed under the SEED Program for the Communication and Works Department. It will monitor the condition of roads using artificial intelligence, identifying road damages through video analysis, pavement and bridge assessments, and will provide automated calculation of the Pavement Condition Index (PCI). Through this system, data on all roads in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be compiled to accurately assess the condition of the road network and ensure timely maintenance.
The objective of this project is to create a complete database of road assets, assess the current status of the network, and maintain roads at a high standard. Effective road maintenance is not only crucial for economic development but also plays a key role in providing public access to employment, health, education, and other basic facilities.
Speaking at the ceremony, Muhammad Sohail Afridi praised the efforts of the SEED Program and the Communication and Works Department team. He stated that this system would prove to be a milestone in the province’s development. He added that this initiative is a major step toward the complete digitalization of the Communication and Works Department.
He further emphasized that an effective road network plays a vital role in the fight against poverty, and this project will bring long-term benefits to the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
