Roads Ministry app to combat highway encroachments

03 Sep 2024 CW Team

Centre advises States, Union Territories to use plastic waste for road construction

To tackle the challenge of plastic waste management, the central government has recently advised states and Union Territories to use plastic waste up to 8 percent of the weight of bitumen in roads within cities, including internal roads of housing colonies and office complexes. In 2015, a Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) order made it mandatory to use plastic waste mixed with bitumen in roads with a population of 0.5 million and above. According to the latest Central Pollution Control Board [CPCB] figures, 4.12 tonnes of plastic waste was generated in 2020-21. Around 60 percent of that was recycled. For each km of road with 3.75 m width, using 1 tonne of plastic waste mixed with bitumen can save `0.63 million, according to a 2019 MoHUA plastic waste management document.

Goa seeks Rs.2.96 billion from the Centre to fix 15 black spots

The state public works department (PWD) has sent a proposal of Rs.2.96 billion to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to deal with 15 black spots on highways across the state. They added that the funds have been requested for the financial year 2024-25. An area is classified as a black spot if over three years, five fatalities or 10 grievous injuries occur on a stretch of 500 m. The funds, once sanctioned by the Union ministry, will be used to implement safety aspects, junction improvements, road widening, etc., based on the road safety review provided by each division of the PWD. According to the central ministry’s directives, Goa has to eliminate all the identified black spots by 2025-26.

Inadequate street lights on the Trichy-Thanjavur NH spark concern

Non-functional and dimly lit street lights on the accident-prone Trichy-Thanjavur National Highway (NH) are giving nightmares to residents of the 10 densely populated wards of Trichy corporation, as they fear accident threats. Around 8 km stretch of the NH, between Palpannai junction and Thiruverumbur is a key entry point for vehicles coming from the delta districts into Trichy city. Despite being a connecting road to educational and industrial institutions like NIT Trichy and Bhel Trichy, at least 50 streetlights are not working for months, while the ones functioning are insufficient to illuminate the highway. Sources said the streetlights on the NH are managed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

Plan to make NH nod mandatory for speed limit changes by states

To end confusion about speed limits on national highways and expressways, the road transport ministry is working on an amendment to the Motor Vehicle Act, making it mandatory for states to consult highway authorities before reducing maximum speed limit on any NH stretch within their jurisdiction. While national highways usually have a speed limit of 100 kmph, cars can go up to 120 kmph on expressways. But states have the final say in fixing the limit, depending on local conditions. State authorities notifying different speed limits on NHs than what the Centre has notified creates confusion among drivers, who don’t take such stretches frequently and this also becomes a source of corruption for local law enforcement agencies.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has introduced a new feature in the ‘Rajmargyatra’ mobile application to report unauthorised parking on National Highways. The Ministry has also requested all the state governments to assist in the removal of such unauthorised occupations. The new feature in the mobile application will enable users to report unauthorised occupation of National Highways. There are instances of ribbon development, unauthorised parking, encroachments on or along National Highways (NHs).Centre advises States, Union Territories to use plastic waste for road constructionTo tackle the challenge of plastic waste management, the central government has recently advised states and Union Territories to use plastic waste up to 8 percent of the weight of bitumen in roads within cities, including internal roads of housing colonies and office complexes. In 2015, a Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) order made it mandatory to use plastic waste mixed with bitumen in roads with a population of 0.5 million and above. According to the latest Central Pollution Control Board [CPCB] figures, 4.12 tonnes of plastic waste was generated in 2020-21. Around 60 percent of that was recycled. For each km of road with 3.75 m width, using 1 tonne of plastic waste mixed with bitumen can save `0.63 million, according to a 2019 MoHUA plastic waste management document.Goa seeks Rs.2.96 billion from the Centre to fix 15 black spotsThe state public works department (PWD) has sent a proposal of Rs.2.96 billion to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to deal with 15 black spots on highways across the state. They added that the funds have been requested for the financial year 2024-25. An area is classified as a black spot if over three years, five fatalities or 10 grievous injuries occur on a stretch of 500 m. The funds, once sanctioned by the Union ministry, will be used to implement safety aspects, junction improvements, road widening, etc., based on the road safety review provided by each division of the PWD. According to the central ministry’s directives, Goa has to eliminate all the identified black spots by 2025-26.Inadequate street lights on the Trichy-Thanjavur NH spark concernNon-functional and dimly lit street lights on the accident-prone Trichy-Thanjavur National Highway (NH) are giving nightmares to residents of the 10 densely populated wards of Trichy corporation, as they fear accident threats. Around 8 km stretch of the NH, between Palpannai junction and Thiruverumbur is a key entry point for vehicles coming from the delta districts into Trichy city. Despite being a connecting road to educational and industrial institutions like NIT Trichy and Bhel Trichy, at least 50 streetlights are not working for months, while the ones functioning are insufficient to illuminate the highway. Sources said the streetlights on the NH are managed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).Plan to make NH nod mandatory for speed limit changes by statesTo end confusion about speed limits on national highways and expressways, the road transport ministry is working on an amendment to the Motor Vehicle Act, making it mandatory for states to consult highway authorities before reducing maximum speed limit on any NH stretch within their jurisdiction. While national highways usually have a speed limit of 100 kmph, cars can go up to 120 kmph on expressways. But states have the final say in fixing the limit, depending on local conditions. State authorities notifying different speed limits on NHs than what the Centre has notified creates confusion among drivers, who don’t take such stretches frequently and this also becomes a source of corruption for local law enforcement agencies.

Infrastructure Transport

15 Oct 2025

BMC Gets CRZ Nod For Rs 40 Million Gorai Bridge Rebuild

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has secured Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance for the reconstruction of the Poisar River bridge in Gorai, located in Mumbai’s western suburbs. However, the proposed demolition of the existing 100-metre bridge has sparked opposition from local residents, who claim it serves as the only direct access route between the Lower and Upper Koliwada areas. The three-decade-old bridge, situated within the CRZ buffer zone, was recently declared structurally unsafe following a civic audit. The BMC has sanctioned its reconstruction at an estimated cost ..

Infrastructure Transport

15 Oct 2025

NHAI Completes Rs 15.9 Billion Four-Lane Stretch On ECR

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has completed the four-laning of the 38 km Puducherry–Poondiyankuppam stretch, ending near Cuddalore, in a development that will cut travel time by up to two hours, according to a report by The New Indian Express. The upgraded section, built at a cost of Rs 15.9 billion under the Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase I, marks a major milestone in the ongoing East Coast Road (ECR) widening programme. The project promises a smoother, faster drive for motorists travelling towards Cuddalore, Chidambaram, Sirkazhi, and Nagapattinam. With this completion, 22..

Infrastructure Transport

15 Oct 2025

Encroachments Delay Rs 1 Billion Ghatkopar Bridge Project

The construction of a new cable-stayed rail overbridge at Ghatkopar and the widening of the Andheri–Ghatkopar Link Road (AGLR) have been delayed due to the presence of nearly 250 encroached structures on both sides of the road. In response, Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani has directed officials to carry out a structural audit of the existing bridge over the railway line and enforce temporary restrictions on heavy vehicles to ensure public safety. The bridge, which starts at the Golibar Road junction near LBS Marg and extends up to the Eastern Express Highway (EEH), serves as a critic..