NHAI implements guidelines for road safety measures on NHs

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced guidelines to improve road safety by rectifying accident-prone spots on national highways through short-term measures. NHAI project directors have been empowered to undertake rectification measures at accident-prone areas recommended by State Police Chiefs or the District Road Safety Committee, with a budget of up to Rs 10 lakh per spot. The authority’s regional office will be responsible for short-term measures costing more than Rs 10 lakh and up to Rs 25 lakh.These financial powers supplement the previously issued NHAI guidelines, where project directors could approve rectification of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) notified black spots through short-term measures, up to Rs 25 lakh per black spot. The work procurement can also be carried out by combining multiple accident spots under a project.While MoRTH identifies black spots based on defined parameters, NHAI has proactively undertaken this initiative to rectify accident-prone spots on National Highways in addition to the MoRTH-notified black sites. The short-term measures include installing pedestrian facilities such as zebra crossings with advance warning signs, crash barriers, railings, junction improvements, solar lights/blinkers, road signages, and implementing traffic calming measures, among others.