Question : Poor Conditions of NHs

(a) whether the Government is aware that highways in the country are not being maintained, resulting in frequent accidents on them;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether any study has been undertaken on the condition of the highways;

(d) whether the Government has received any complaints about the poor maintenance of the highways by any State Governments, if so, the details thereof and action taken by the Government on such complaints; and

(e) the steps being taken by the Government and guidelines issued to reduce the accidents?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)
(a) to (b) Yes Madam. Steps have been taken to improve the road safety by way of timely maintenance and repair of National Highways on Public Private Partnership/ Engineering Procurement & Construction/ Operation & Maintenance basis through the concessionaires/ contractors in order to prevent the accidents.

(c) to (d) Condition of the highways is checked & maintained regularly by the field officers & regional officers & Branch Officers of the Ministry/National Highway Authority of India/ National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation. On completed sections, repair & maintenance is carried out by Operation & Maintenance contractors/BOT concessionaires as part of their obligations in the contract. Stretches entrusted to State PWD/NHAI/NHIDCL but where work is yet to start are maintained either directly by NHAI/NHIDCL or through State PWD. Where concessionaire fails to repair roads as per concession agreement, State PWD/NHAI/NHIDCL undertakes repairing work at risk and cost of the concessionaire.

(e) Ministry is taking the following steps/ issued guidelines to reduce the accidents:-

• Identified accident black spots on National Highways are being rectified on priority through effective remedial measures.
• Safety audits of Highway Projects are carried out through independent road safety consultants during design, construction and operation stages and any deficiencies thereof are rectified in a continuous process through the concerned concessionaire/ contractor.
• Way side amenity centers are being developed at suitable locations on the National Highways to facilitate the road users.
• Ministry has issued guidelines and instructions to the field officers to construct foot over bridges at accident prone locations on National Highways.
• Ministry has also issued instructions to the field officers to assess the safety at all junctions and take necessary safety measures.

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