NHAI Directs Staggered Hours To Protect Highway Workers From Heatwave

04 May 2026 CW Team

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.

Infrastructure Urban

06 Jul 2026

ABS Marine Sees CRISIL Credit Rating Upgrade

ABS Marine Services has secured an upgrade to its long term and short term credit ratings from CRISIL, reflecting improved profitability and revenue growth through long term contracts. CRISIL moved the long term rating from BBB+/Stable to A-/Stable and revised the short term rating from A2 to A2+. The action signals strengthened financial metrics and operational resilience. The company benefited from durable client relationships with firms such as ONGC and Schlumberger. The rating decision followed stronger cash flows and an enlarged bank loan facility, which increased from Rs 3,705 million (m..

Project BRAHMANK Marks 16 Years Of Strategic Roads In Arunachal

Project BRAHMANK is marking 16 years of work to establish strategic road and bridge links across Arunachal Pradesh, maintaining and developing 811 kilometres of roads and nearly 86 bridges that range from small culverts to large steel and arch bridges. These transport links are described as critical for ensuring year-round movement of defence personnel, equipment and essential supplies while improving everyday travel for people in remote villages. The project balances national security requirements with regional development by focusing on reliable access in challenging terrain. Notable enginee..

Longleng CSOs Give One Week Ultimatum Over Two-Lane Highway

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Longleng district have demanded immediate restoration of the deteriorating Changtongya–Longleng two-lane road and sought a detailed status report on the stalled construction within one week. The demand followed a consultative meeting convened under the Phom Peoples' Council (PPC) to discuss welfare and development concerns. PPC president YB Angam Phom said prolonged non-maintenance had caused hardship to commuters and affected transportation, local commerce and the district's development. The meeting urged authorities to undertake immediate restoration a..