The National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC), established in 1976 by the Government of Kerala, is a premier research institution dedicated to addressing the State’s transportation challenges through scientific research, technological innovation, policy support, and capacity building.
Reconstituted as an autonomous Research and Development (R&D) centre in 1982, NATPAC has been functioning under the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) since 2002, aligning its research and development activities with Kerala’s broader science, technology, and sustainable development goals.
Over the past five decades, NATPAC has played a pivotal role in transforming Kerala’s transportation sector by undertaking multidisciplinary research, providing evidence-based policy recommendations, and supporting the planning, design, and implementation of transport infrastructure and services.
The institution has made significant contributions across diverse domains, including:
Through its close collaboration with government departments, academic institutions, national agencies, and international organizations, NATPAC has successfully executed numerous research projects and consultancy assignments of regional and national importance. Its studies have directly influenced transport policies, infrastructure investments, and mobility planning, while promoting safe, efficient, sustainable, and inclusive transportation systems.
As it marks five decades of excellence, NATPAC continues to serve as a centre of excellence in transportation research, committed to developing innovative solutions that address emerging mobility challenges and support the socio-economic development of Kerala, in particular, and the nation at large.