+
NHAI Directs Staggered Hours To Protect Highway Workers From Heatwave
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

NHAI Directs Staggered Hours To Protect Highway Workers From Heatwave

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has directed contractors and concessionaires to provide staggered working hours for workers involved in national highway construction to avoid peak heat between 12 pm and four pm in a bid to mitigate the heatwave effect. It has issued guidelines outlining mandatory safety protocols for construction sites, maintenance work and toll plazas under its jurisdiction. The safety measures will be implemented immediately by contractors, concessionaires and toll collection agencies to protect staff and workers.

Special emphasis has been placed on acclimatisation of workers, ensuring that new or returning personnel are gradually exposed to strenuous tasks over a period of three to five days and trained to identify and respond to heat related illnesses including heatstroke. Emergency preparedness has been strengthened and patrol ambulances will be equipped with ice packs, cold water and IV fluids to support rapid medical response. Route Patrolling Units (RPUs) have been instructed to increase monitoring frequency to assist highway users facing heat related issues and vehicular breakdowns due to overheating.

For toll operations, the authority has advised minimising outdoor exposure of personnel during peak heat hours from eleven am to three pm through optimised shift management and rotational rosters. Night hours will be utilised for administrative and maintenance activities that do not require presence in lane operations. The measures aim to balance the need for continued highway services with protection of worker health.

The directive builds on established best practices and seeks to institutionalise a consistent approach across the national highway network, with accountability placed on contractors and concessionaires for compliance. The NHAI will monitor implementation through routine reviews and coordination with RPUs to ensure timely assistance and effective response during extreme heat episodes.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has directed contractors and concessionaires to provide staggered working hours for workers involved in national highway construction to avoid peak heat between 12 pm and four pm in a bid to mitigate the heatwave effect. It has issued guidelines outlining mandatory safety protocols for construction sites, maintenance work and toll plazas under its jurisdiction. The safety measures will be implemented immediately by contractors, concessionaires and toll collection agencies to protect staff and workers. Special emphasis has been placed on acclimatisation of workers, ensuring that new or returning personnel are gradually exposed to strenuous tasks over a period of three to five days and trained to identify and respond to heat related illnesses including heatstroke. Emergency preparedness has been strengthened and patrol ambulances will be equipped with ice packs, cold water and IV fluids to support rapid medical response. Route Patrolling Units (RPUs) have been instructed to increase monitoring frequency to assist highway users facing heat related issues and vehicular breakdowns due to overheating. For toll operations, the authority has advised minimising outdoor exposure of personnel during peak heat hours from eleven am to three pm through optimised shift management and rotational rosters. Night hours will be utilised for administrative and maintenance activities that do not require presence in lane operations. The measures aim to balance the need for continued highway services with protection of worker health. The directive builds on established best practices and seeks to institutionalise a consistent approach across the national highway network, with accountability placed on contractors and concessionaires for compliance. The NHAI will monitor implementation through routine reviews and coordination with RPUs to ensure timely assistance and effective response during extreme heat episodes.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Real Estate

Peninsula Land launches 19 luxury villas in Pune

Pune’s residential landscape is witnessing a shift as premium homebuyers increasingly seek larger spaces, privacy and independent living options beyond high-rise apartments. Addressing this demand, Peninsula Land Limited, part of the Ashok Piramal Group, has launched AshokVillas, an exclusive collection of 19 premium furnished villas in Gahunje, Pune.The development combines the independence of a standalone home with the convenience and security of a managed residential community. Designed around low-density horizontal living, AshokVillas offers residents private spaces while providing acces..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

MyBranch Expands South India Network with 16 Workspace Centres

MyBranch has expanded its South India presence with a 50,000 sq ft flexible workspace network comprising 16 centres across 14 cities in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.The expansion reflects growing demand for flexible office infrastructure as businesses establish regional teams, satellite offices and operations beyond traditional metropolitan markets. MyBranch’s network spans Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Guntur, Hanamkonda, Hubballi, Hyderabad, Madurai, Mangaluru, Rajahmundry, Salem, Tirupati, Vellore, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam, with a large office space in Chennai also und..

Next Story
Building Material

Walplast Launches Moisture-Resistant Gypsum Plaster Solutions

Walplast Products Pvt. Ltd. has expanded its HomeSure GypEx portfolio with the launch of GypEx MoistShield and GypEx Gold, two gypsum plaster solutions designed to address moisture-prone applications and improve plastering efficiency.The new products have been developed in response to the growing demand for faster construction processes, improved material performance and consistent surface quality. The solutions aim to simplify interior plastering while addressing specific application requirements across construction environments.“Through HomeSure GypEx MoistShield and GypEx Gold, we are exp..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code