NHAI Introduces Toll Plaza Safety SOPs

11 Oct 2023 CW Team

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has unveiled Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to enhance safety and security for commuters and toll operators while reducing incidents of altercations at toll plazas. These detailed SOPs include strict guidelines for NHAI field offices to ensure that toll-collecting agencies adhere to prescribed protocols for the management of staff and road users.

As per the SOPs, the toll collecting agency must ensure that their staff at toll plazas wear the NHAI-prescribed uniform with a name badge. In the event of a potential incident of violence, only the toll plaza manager and lane supervisors, who will be equipped with body cameras to record such situations, are authorised to intervene.

The SOPs also emphasise resolving any unruly behaviour by commuters amicably through the intervention of lane supervisors. The document strongly prohibits the use of provocative language or resorting to violence by toll plaza staff. Toll Plaza officials may seek assistance from local police and file an FIR if the situation persists or escalates.

Furthermore, the SOPs instruct toll-collecting agencies to promptly report any incidents involving violence by road users or damage to public property at the toll plaza to the police and the NHAI Project Implementation Unit, along with the necessary documents and evidence.

NHAI field offices are responsible for ensuring that the toll-collecting agency has completed police verification for all staff deployed at the toll plaza. Toll-collecting agencies are also directed to instruct their staff to maintain a courteous demeanour with road users.

To enhance transparency, toll collection agencies are required to submit monthly statements of incidents and FIRs to the relevant NHAI Project Implementation Unit. In cases of inaction by local authorities, NHAI field officials are empowered to report the same to the District Collector and request necessary action.

Infrastructure Urban

27 Oct 2025

Coal Ministry Achieves Milestones under Special Campaign 5.0

The Ministry of Coal and its Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) have achieved notable milestones under the Special Campaign 5.0, focusing on cleanliness, operational efficiency, and sustainability across the coal sector. During the implementation phase from 2–31 October 2025, over 1,205 sites were cleaned, covering 68,04,087 sq ft, nearing the target of 82,51,511 sq ft. Scrap disposal of 5,813 MT against a target of 8,678 MT generated Rs 228.7 million in revenue. In addition, 1,11,248 physical and 30,331 electronic files were reviewed, with 74,123 weeded out or closed. Key initiatives showc..

Vesting Orders Issued for Three Coal Blocks under Commercial Auctions

The Ministry of Coal’s Nominated Authority has issued vesting orders for three coal blocks under commercial coal block auctions on 23 October 2025. The Coal Mine Development and Production Agreements (CMDPAs) for these mines were earlier signed on 21 August 2025. The three blocks include Rajgamar Dipside (Deavnara), Tangardihi North, and Mahuagarhi. Of these, two are partially explored while one is fully explored, with a combined peak rated capacity of around 1 MTPA and geological reserves of approximately 1,484.41 million tonnes. These mines are expected to generate annual revenue of abou..

TEC, IIT-Hyderabad Partner to Boost 6G and Telecom Standards

The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), technical arm of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT Hyderabad) for joint research and technical collaboration in advanced telecom technologies and standardisation. The partnership focuses on developing India-specific standards and test frameworks for next-generation networks, including 6G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs). It also aims to enhance India’s participation in international standardisation f..