In recent times a new concept of quality assurance as distinct from the quality control has emerged in Civil Engineering. It encompasses a spectrum of activities like –site investigation, material specification, design of components of road and bridge, construction methodology, quality control, execution and maintenance management keeping in view the functional and serviceability requirements. Quality control is only a part of quality assurance system. Quality control involves activities like checking of design, materials, site construction etc. whereas quality assurance seeks to provide the environment which makes it possible to achieve the desired quality. Engineering for quality rather than inspection for quality is the objective.

Quality assurance has to start at the stage of design, detailing and specification itself when the opportunity to influence the project quality and the cost is the maximum. Keeping this in view the Ministry of Surface transport has also made efforts during the past few years to usher in a system approach for quality assurance. During the year 1988, the Ministry had issued a set of comprehensive guidelines to all the States dealing with National Highways for a gradual change over from system of quality control to quality assurance. The Ministry had also initiated a number of steps in order to achieve quality assurance. These included system of pre- qualification of contractors, revision of specifications, preparation of model contract document checklist for project preparation and guidelines for quality control operations etc.

Complete integrity in quality assurance system can be secured only through a formal approach based on fully committed Quality Assurance Manual containing statements on policy and procedures for all stages of design, procurements & construction, clearly defined sections covering organisation, job description, quality planning and documentation, a sound base for quality auditing procedures so that each party involved in the project is responsible for quality of its respective work. The contractor should have his own internal quality assurance units & internal auditing for monitoring and assessment in addition to the client's external auditing for control of compliance with the descriptions of the Quality Assurance Manual.

In order to clearly define all the parameters involved in the quality assurance system as well as describe ways and means to achieve the objectives, it is essential to bring out a Quality Assurance Manual for highway works. This will help the Planners Designers construction and Maintenance Engineers in ensuring proper coordination to achieve the objective of quality work.

A beginning has been made in introducing quality assurance techniques on some of our large road and bridge projects financed through external aid. Greater and wider application of this technique to all major projects is called for to improve the durability of roads and bridges